A Very Famous Unknown Man

George had a long life ahead of him. He was only 46.

He was supposed to be a father and a grandfather for many years to come. His adult daughter had a baby girl, three years ago. His other daughter – six years old, Gianna – adores her father. She now says that her “daddy changed the world”.

An old urban myth suggests that “good lovers make girls”. I cannot verify the truth to that saying, but George was known as the “gentle giant.” That says a lot. A 6’6” tall, ebony colored fellow who created girls.

His friends sprinkle words like kind, loving and helpful around his name. Though, they never use the name George. To them he is Big Floyd.

But despite his kindness, Big Floyd was no angel. He, like all human beings, made mistakes. He had his run with drugs. In 2009 he was sentenced to five years in prison, for armed robbery. Like so many other black men in The United States of America, he spent time on the inside.

Once back on the outside, Floyd moved from his old hometown of Houston, Texas – to his new one – Minneapolis, Minnesota. There he made a solid effort to restart his life. He talked about how he wanted to be a better father. He worried about the younger generation, and about the ever-escalating gun violence spreading in the American society.

Big Floyd worked two jobs. He drove trucks and managed security at a restaurant called Conga Latin Bistro. Coworkers reveal that he loved the Latin music and would sometimes “goofy dance” to it, just to make people laugh. It must have been a sight for the Gods – seeing this African-American guy, tall as a tree – do the conga.

He may have been less than a superb dancer, but his passion for music was real. Hip-hop had been made, back in the day … while being part of his group “Screwed Up Click.”

Floyd never became a famous rapper; nor a famous basketball player, despite the obvious talent he displayed while at Jack Yates High School in Houston. He, instead, became a loved and appreciated security guard, who always hugged the regulars at Conga Latin Bistro.

Then Covid-19 stepped out onto the world stage and Floyd was unemployed overnight.

The “gentle giant” and girlfriend Courtney Ross kept their faith new work would come. They were an interracial couple, in love and struggling through the harsh reality of both a new recession and centuries-long racism. Courtney, a white Minneapolis native, now says that all she wants is to hear his voice again. That deep voice she knows so well.

The last words that voice ever spoke were “I can’t breathe”.

I did not know George Floyd.

A couple of weeks ago he was just a man living his life, minding his business. I had never heard of him. Now, his name is spoken all over the world.

He doesn’t know that. Because George Floyd is dead.

Sources: Sky News, New York Post, CNN, AJC, LA Times