On the anniversary of George Floyd’s tragic May 25, 2020, death, I hope we as Americans will reflect on how we came together in rare form to say ‘enough is enough’ to the senseless police killings of black men in this country.

A diverse group of Americans, including Mississippians, marched the streets demanding justice and setting in motion a number of progressive changes across the country, such as reform in police departments, removal of confederate statues and symbols, and corporations promising greater diversity and inclusion.   The most notable one in Mississippi was the changing of our state flag.

The brutality of George Floyd’s horrible death was televised across the world, allowing all to see how mean, evil, and deadly police aggression and violence against black men can be.

In the process America and the world made a statement with the indictment and subsequent conviction of George Floyd’s killer, former police officer Derek Chauvin on two counts of murder and one count of manslaughter on April 20, 2021.

People across the world stood together, put aside differences, and rallied for justice in this tragic cause, showing that when united we are greater than anything that seeks to divide us. Change is possible - even in Mississippi when we join in harmony for positive outcomes.