Statement from Senator Karla May on the Death of George Floyd
JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Karla May, D-St. Louis, issued the following statement regarding the death of George Floyd:
“America should be ashamed to uphold this image of injustice. It is a threat to the future and character of our country. Until it is realized that no one is above the law and all should be held accountable for injustice, I believe this country will continue to experience a charred relationship between law enforcement and those they are charged to protect and serve.
Our country’s established system of justice does not support or call for one or a concert of individuals to be the judge, jury and executioner. We must uphold this system by being diligent in terms of criminal justice reform and by calling for the arrest and prosecution of all officers involved in the death of George Floyd.
I believe the following poem by Brandon Jones expresses the voices of young black boys in America:
My mind is a rhyme that should be heard at all times,
i express my rhyme through my mind,
i am a boy,
big but misunderstood of course you know cause i live in the hood,
in the woods is the way i feel,
being an outcast is my deal,
you should never understand the way i feel,
cause i tell you the pain is real,
it cuts deep just like a knife this is why i cling to the night,
the darkness and shadows hide my tears that have been hidden in my smile over the years,
the things i want do not exist, just like an exit.
callus i have become so i hide my shame from the sun,
the shadows i must stay to escape the pain of the next day.
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