My guiding philosophy over the past ten years has been to ‘disappear’ as much as possible. Because I think the work is always strongest when it’s centered in other people’s voices. And that means HONY is at it’s best when I’m the most invisible. As a result, the name ‘Humans of New York’ is ten times more famous than the name ‘Brandon Stanton.’ I prefer it that way. It’s by design. Even on Patreon, I generally prefer to keep my comments limited to the craft of creating HONY. Because I’ve always wanted the creation to outgrow the creator. I don’t want it to be weighed down by my opinions, or politics, or shortcomings. If I keep myself out of it, hopefully it can become bigger than me. And better than I am.
But we’ve reached a moment when it just seems tone deaf to speak about anything beyond our present circumstances. I haven’t watched the video because I don’t want to watch a man being murdered. Instead I’ve watched some videos of George Floyd when he was alive. I’ve read about his life. And coupled with the descriptions of his death, it’s been enough for me to understand and share in the heartbreak. I think the power of George Floyd’s life and the reason his death has shaken so many millions, comes from its symbolism. He died with his hands cuffed behind his back. With a white officer’s knee on his neck. His death was the most brutal possible symbol of the oppression felt by so many black Americans at the hands of our justice system, our court system, and our prison system. By all accounts, he was admired and loved by the people who knew him. But in his death, he also became a symbol of injustice. And symbols grow so much bigger, and carry a message so much farther, than any individual is capable of doing. His murder unleashed feelings of powerlessness that can only be understood if you live in a community that doesn’t have the resources to navigate our justice system. Or the power to push back against its abuses. The rest of us can only imagine those feelings. And imagination doesn’t come close to lived experience.
So I’ll end with an acknowledgment of the validity of the anger being felt. And a hope that our current upheaval will end with a more informed citizenry, a deeper understanding, and some sort of lasting change. I’d have loved to have interviewed George on the street. From the videos I’ve seen, and the stories I’ve read, I imagine he’d have chosen to tell me about his kids. Or his fiancée. Or his faith. Because he was more than a symbol. He was a person. And I’m sure that he’d have wanted to be remembered for his life much more than his death.
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