BBC News Brazil
Former US First Lady Michelle Obama said in an interview that “many of us (black people) still live in fear” when “we go to the supermarket, or worry about walking our dogs. or to allow our children to take a driving license “.
According to her, “like so many parents of black children, the innocent act of taking a driver’s license scares us.”
Michelle Obama is married to Barack Obama. She was the first lady of the United States during her husband’s two terms (2009-2017). His statements were made on CBS This Morning by US broadcaster CBS, in light of the verdict of former policeman Derek Chauvin and protests from the Black Lives Matter movement.
Chauvin was convicted of murder in the episode of arrest and death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. The now ex-policeman pressed his knee against the neck of Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who was handcuffed , for over nine years. minutes. Floyd had been accused of using a fake $ 20 bill to buy cigarettes at a supermarket.
Floyd’s videotaped death sparked protests against racism and police brutality in cities across the United States and around the world.
Chauvin was fired and arrested. He was a popular jury at the end of April this year and jurors found him guilty of the crime. His lawyers have appealed the decision and requested a new trial.
“We know that while we all breathe relieved at the verdict, there is still work to be done. We can’t say, ‘Great, it happened, let’s move on,’ Michelle said.
In the opinion of the former first lady of the United States, “members of the black community do not feel that”. “Many of us still live in fear when we go to the supermarket, or worry about walking our dogs or allowing our children to get a driver’s license,” he added.
When asked if her daughters, Malia and Sasha, drive, Michelle spoke of her apprehension as a mother: “They drive. But every time they get into a car on their own, I get worried about what to suppose. someone who doesn’t. know all about them. “
“I, like so many other parents of black children … the innocent act of getting a driver’s license puts fear in our hearts.” According to Michelle, “we need to talk more about it, we need to ask people to listen more and believe in us and know that we don’t want to be outside the protests.”
“All of these young people at Black Lives Matter wish they didn’t have to worry about this. They’re taking to the streets because they need it. They’re trying to make people understand that we are citizens.” “And the fear that many of us have of many is irrational and is based on a story that is sad, it’s dark and it’s time for us to move on.”