Reflecting With the Family of George Floyd

Floyd’s aunt, uncle take part in Tri-C virtual discussion on human cost of racism

Through his death last spring, George Floyd became an international symbol of the human cost of systemic racism and violence against Black people and other minority groups.

But Floyd was more than that. To his aunt, Angela Harrelson, and uncle, Selwyn Jones, he was Perry (his middle name) — a “fun-loving kid who smiled all the time.”

Harrelson and Jones took part in a May 6 virtual discussion sponsored by the Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C^®) Stand for Racial Justice alliance, titled “The Legacy of George Floyd.”

WKYC and 19 News were among the outlets covering the event.

In the hourlong Zoom call, Floyd’s relatives reflected on his life, the international movement caused by his death, and how the attitudes of society and the actions of law enforcement must change to attain meaningful progress in improving race relations in America.

In the 19 News article, Jones called his nephew’s death a pivotal point in the history of this country.

“You may remember when the space shuttle blew up in 1986,” Jones said. “You remember when Desert Storm happened. You remember 9/11. You will never forget the day you heard about George Floyd.”

May 07, 2021

Erik Cassano, 216-987-3577 or erik.cassano@tri-c.edu