Emotions are running high as protests and demonstrations — many of which have escalated to violence — have raged on for several days following the very public murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
The images of the officer putting his knee on Floyd’s neck as Floyd cried for help, saying “I can’t breathe” was a powerful and tragic one that has awoken strong emotions across every demographic. The footage of the police in riot gear with batons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray has only ramped up the outrage.
The outcries from protesters have been about police brutality in particular toward the African American community. Those outcries aren’t limited to those taking to the streets. Likewise there are many outside the black community who empathize and share those feelings of sadness and outrage over these senseless acts of brutality.
Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones recently tweeted out a touching story of an encounter he had at the grocery store with an elderly woman.
i was just at a local home goods store w/ my cousin getting furniture for my place when an elderly white woman approached me at the check out counter. she looked at me w/ tears in her eyes… & then said “i’m from Minneapolis & I just want you to know “you matter to me.”
— zay (@zayjones11) May 30, 2020
beautiful hearts still exist. be the example. be the light. love others.
— zay (@zayjones11) May 30, 2020
The tweets drew the attention of Good Morning America and Monday morning, Jones appeared on the program to talk about his encounter.
“For a moment there was peace and love, and that’s what I want to spread.”@zayjones11 joined @gma this morning to tell the story of a heartfelt random act of kindness he shared with a stranger » https://t.co/yNBVtVXP1a pic.twitter.com/7JjDeiceV4
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) June 1, 2020
Many NFL players, coaches, and executives have shared their experiences and expressed their concerns during this trying time. Raiders owner Mark Davis put out a statement. Raiders running back Jalen Richard also chimed in.
Stand for something or fall for anything #JusticeForGeorgeFlyod pic.twitter.com/5b3LMkEDuq
— Jalen Richard (@RocketRich30) May 31, 2020
There are still open wounds between the African American community, particularly with regard to law enforcement. It makes encounters like those between Jones and that woman all the more heartwarming as we look to find healing.