It was never just about George Floyd

Chicago was on the national radar this weekend for massive Downtown protests. The first night of protests ended with over one thousand arrests, according to the Chicago Community Bond Fund. This is violent and genocidal, considering that Cook County jail was previously labelled a hotbed for the virus. Yet, the high arrest rate was only a portion of the city’s punitive response to protesters.

At approximately 8:40 PM, a citywide Amber Alert was sent out informing city residents that a curfew would be instituted from 9 PM to 6 AM. For protesters who were still on the streets, this meant they had twenty minutes to find refuge if they were to avoid being trapped Downtown.

This strange alert came after the city began putting up its bridges, impeding people’s ability to cross. These measures were a form of entrapment and intimidation against the protesters. They were also an example of the failures of Black leadership during times of crisis.

In situations like these, we are reminded that we are reporters second and Black first​

This week, cities across the country are protesting. Last night, the White House locked its doors as protestors stormed Pennsylvania Avenue. In Atlanta, a CNN center was damaged during protests.

These demonstrations were sparked by George Floyd’s murder, which happened in Minnesota on Memorial Day. In a powerful stand against police genocides across America, protesters took to the streets last Thursday and looted major businesses. While doing a live shot showing the Minnesota protests, CNN reporter Omar Jimenez was arrested yesterday.

Save your "what about"s for never

Last night, President Donald Trump deployed Minnesota's National Guard to Minneapolis following viral videos showing protesters looting a Target store and proceeding to set it on fire. Additonally, three police precincts were set on fire.

These measures were in response to the murder of George Floyd, who died by asphyxiation while being held on the ground. Trump, who thought this was an inappropriate response, tweeted the following: 

You are going to be okay

Editor's Note: This is the last in a three-part article series about healthcare and mental health during COVID-19. This last article will offer solutions to the prior articles and will include brief mentions of a manic episode.

So, you’ve just been diagnosed with a mental disorder. What’s next? When doctors told me that I had Bipolar, I was curious, angry, relieved, and frantic – all at once. For years, that “thing” that I could not explain finally made sense, which explains the relief and curiosity. 
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Yet, I was also in the middle of a manic episode, so I was frantic and upset. Why did I have to get Bipolar, I asked myself. Had I not suffered enough? Then, I took some time to reflect further, and I realized I did not “get” anything; it was always there.

Working class Americans seem to be victimized thrice over by COVID-19. From states reopening prematurely to unsafe working conditions that have led essential workers to strike, the damage is almost tangible.