Watch Now
Three years after George Floyd: hopes dashed, progress mixed
It’s been nearly three years since a white police officer put his knee on George Floyd’s neck, asphyxiating the African-American man and sparking mass protests against racism and police violence.
As the anniversary approaches of the May 25, 2020 killing — which was captured on video and went viral around the world — AFP came back to ask his aunt, a protester, and one of the leaders of an organization dedicated to his memory to describe what has changed, and what hasn’t.
– Angela Harrelson –
For George Floyd’s aunt, among the most notable developments after her nephew’s death is “the acknowledgement that systemic racism exists.”
“The conversation is different. People are more open, especially white America, about talking about race relations,” Harrelson tells AFP in front of “George Floyd Square,” the makeshift memorial erected where the 46-year-old was killed in the northern US city of Minneapolis.
“People always ask, ‘Do you think it’s getting better?’ Yes,” she says.
She points to the conviction of the police officers involved in Floyd’s death, the reforms in Minneapolis law enforcement, and diversity programs at universities.
“Is there more work to do? Yes. Will there be more police killings? Yes, there will,” she says.
That is why the work must go on.
“Twenty years from now, 50 years from now, 100 years from now, the goal is not to hold a sign that says ‘Black Lives Matter.’ And until we can do that… that’s when we know we have arrived. That’s the goal.”
– Bethany Tamrat –
AFP first encountered Bethany Tamrat, now 22, at a protest in Minneapolis in 2020. At the time, she says, it was essential for her to participate in the movement because she wanted “to be able to say, ‘I saw it with my own eyes.'”
“In the moment, during 2020, it felt like there was a shift…. There was a lot of hopefulness… that there was going to be positive change,” she says, speaking on her university campus.
“And I can confidently say three years after that, it was really a facade,” she said. “It almost feels like we took five steps, only for us to lose 15 steps back.”
The heated debate in schools and universities over Critical Race Theory — which holds that racial bias is inherent in many parts of US society, and often embedded in legal systems and policies — is a glaring example, she says.
On May 15, nearly a month after AFP’s interview with her, Florida’s governor signed legislation to end diversity programs at public universities in his state.
“I don’t think people are ready to make the change,” she says.
Talking about diversity and inclusion within a private company is one thing, but when you “really sit in with yourself and reflect on how you have contributed to racism, how you have these personal biases against certain communities, that takes harder work.”
“Even as a country, we can’t all be on the same page when it comes to history…. We all have varying versions of what happened in this country… then how can you make change?”
Maybe, she ponders, it is by “truly listening to the people that are affected.”
– Jeanelle Austin –
Cofounder and executive director of the George Floyd Global Memorial, Jeanelle Austin preserves every single item left at the scene of his murder.
The signs, flowers, notes and other items will one day be displayed to ensure that people “remember what happened for the purposes of continuing the pursuit of racial justice,” she says amid the curated items from the scene that are catalogued and stored.
For her, real change was possible, but “people won’t do it,” she says, “because we have a system and an industry in our country that requires Black people to be at the bottom.”
The anti-racism protests of 2020 saw Americans take down Confederate statues and fight for legislative change in a campaign for justice.
But “all of that was not going to solve the problem of racism in the country if people weren’t willing to change,” Austin says.
The nature of policing is also an issue, she notes.
For example, when Tyre Nichols, a young Black man from Memphis, died in January after being beaten by African-American police officers, “people said, ‘Well, what is this?’ This is Black-on-Black crime,'” she says.
“Policing culture is policing culture, regardless of your skin.”
Some people then reverted to business as usual, “and business as usual is what caused harm,” according to Austin.
These issues do not revolve exclusively around policing, but churn in the country’s media, education and health care, she says.
“It’s always a state of emergency. Because lives are at stake. People are dying.”
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Documentaries
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Primetime
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.