The Unlock: Humanity at Work His Name is George Floyd: Telling a Human Story with Robert Samuels
May 22, 2023
In this insightful discussion, Robert Samuels, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and co-author of "His Name Is George Floyd," delves into the life of George Floyd and the systemic issues surrounding race and justice. He emphasizes the importance of restoring Floyd's humanity through storytelling, backed by over 400 interviews. Robert shares poignant insights on Floyd's family history, the impact of incarceration, and the chronic stress caused by systemic racism. The conversation reveals the need for compassion in journalism while urging listeners to recognize and challenge harmful systems.
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Title Restores Humanity And Context
- The title 'His Name Is George Floyd' restores a flattened humanity and answers the rallying cry to 'say his name'.
- The book links George Floyd's death to systemic racism by tracing patterns across his life.
Generational Loss Shapes Family Choices
- Robert Samuels traces George Floyd's family back seven generations to Hilary Thomas Stewart, who amassed 500 acres then lost it through fraud and racist laws.
- That generational theft shaped a family motto of not doing 'anything too extraordinary' for fear white people would take it.
Childhood Dreams Versus Stereotypes
- Young George Floyd read at grade level and wrote in second grade that he wanted to be a Supreme Court justice inspired by Thurgood Marshall.
- As he grew, community expectations pushed him toward sports, reinforcing limiting stereotypes about his future.
