From 'I Can't Breathe' to 'Black Lives Matter': How George Floyd's Tragic Death Changed America - The Complete Diary of The Events

By David Serero

From “I CAN’T BREATHE" to ‘BLACK LIVES MATTER’, How George Floyd’s Tragic Death Changed America - The Complete Diary of the Events by David Serero

May 25, 2020, is a date that no one will ever forget. That day, we all saw the terrible death of George Floyd on social media. Sitting at the computer in his New York apartment, opera singer, producer, and author David Serero witnessed this horrific video, which went viral and made headlines on every news channel. Never had he ever seen a man agonizing and begging for his life under the knee of a Police officer in the United States of America, and thus in the 21st century. He was outraged and sad. This behavior was unacceptable, indeed criminal, and righteously prosecuted as such. As a Jew, it immediately reminded him of photos of Nazis who proudly killed Jews during the Holocaust. Although he didn't know yet the details of Floyd’s arrest, he knew it was not right. Following George Floyd's tragic death, David Serero witnessed a series of events that he wanted to collect all within the same book, in the form of a Diary, to understand how the event led to another. He hopes that future generations will understand the escalation that led from an obvious crime to a protest, then to an American revolution, to hopefully a change for the better in a country still struggling with racism.

During the unprecedented time of the quarantine and lockdown, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and while strict rules of self-distancing were applied, thousands of Americans took to the streets to protest police brutality and support the Black Lives Matter movement. Some protesters were peaceful, others very violent, creating chaos, which ultimately required the presence of the National Guard and a curfew.

For 8 minutes and 46 seconds, George Floyd struggled for his life and mentioned his sadly known « I Can't Breathe...Mama...». David Serero’s « fact-based-only » Diary, covered the events day by day from the tragic death of George Floyd to the protests, also the looting and burning of businesses, the curfews, demolishing statues, burning the American Flag, reporters being rioted, Police officers being attacked while others showed their support by putting a knee down for George Floyd, and the Black Lives Matter movement. While some protesters showed their support for the police authorities, others provoked and attacked them. This prompted authorities to even request to 'defund the Police' and passing new bills in order to have officers liable for their actions, while...innocents civilians were brutally shot during the deadly weekend of Independence Day in several cities of America and thus by other civilians.

After reading this Dairy, you will find the 100 Questions that he calls « ILLOGICAL.» « Illogical » as the tragic death of George Floyd and other events. « Illogical » because we have the solutions in our hands, but no one wishes to use them. « Illogical » because these questions shouldn't be asked since we modestly think that we have learned the lessons of our history, and therefore, had already solved this matter. He decided to call them « The ILLOGICAL 100 » and hopes that it will open a healthy dialogue and reflection for everyone to debate in the most peaceful manner.

• Language: English
• Publisher: World Productions Group
• Release date: Aug 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005363024

David Serero

DAVID SEREROSinger Baritone, Actor, Producer and Recording ArtistActor and baritone, David Serero, has received international recognition and critical acclaim from all over the world. At only 35 years old, he has already performed more than 1,000 concerts and performances throughout the world and played in over 100 films and recorded 20 albums. He has given concerts in Paris at the PARIS OPERA GARNIER, OLYMPIA, EIFFEL TOWER; in New York at the LINCOLN CENTER, CARNEGIE HALL, TIMES SQUARE; in London at the ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC, WEMBLEY STADIUM; and in Moscow at the TCHAIKOVSKY HALL; in Amsterdam at the CONCERTGEBOUW, the BUDAPEST OPERA conducted by PLACIDO DOMINGO and more. He made his sold out WEST END debuts at the Dominion Theatre. He has sung more than 30 lead roles in Opera, Operetta and Musical Theater. In 2012, David Serero performed Don Quixote from MAN OF LA MANCHA in Paris and the title role from the revival of Duke Ellington's only musical: BEGGAR'S HOLIDAY and also starred in the cast album recording. In 2013, David performed with JERMAINE JACKSON in YOU ARE NOT ALONE, a musical written, directed and produced by David Serero. He has also produced and arranged I WISH YOU LOVE an album of Jazz standards for Jermaine Jackson. In December 2013, David shared the cover of Theatre & Performances with Barbra Streisand in London, and made his BROADWAY solo debut at the Snapple Theatre in New York and released his first studio album ALL I CARE ABOUT IS LOVE. In 2014, he released The Broadway Baritone featuring Broadway classics and toured in the UK with a performance on WEST END. During the summer 2014, he recorded the entire love letters's correspondence of NAPOLEON to Josephine and released his new studio album THE CROONER BARITONE, The FRANK SINATRA Classics for the 100th anniversary of Sinatra. In 2015 and 2016, he played Off Broadway the lead roles of SHYLOCK (MERCHANT OF VENICE) and OTHELLO's title role with both critical acclaim. In 2015, he performed two open air concerts on TIMES SQUARE (New York) for BEST OF FRANCE with the presence of the French President Mr Francois Hollande. He released SEPHARDI, an album of Sephardic music in Ladino language and records the title role of RICHARD III in French. In 2016, he releases ALL MY LOVE IS FOR YOU, a Pop Rock album, entirely composed, performed, arranged and produced by himself. He also played NABUCCO (Nabucco) in New York; and the title roles of DON GIOVANNI and RIGOLETTO at the CARNEGIE HALL. In 2016, David entered the prestigious WHO'S WHO AMERICA for demonstrating outstanding achievements in the entertainment world and for the betterment of contemporary society.In American Television, he has appeared in: The Hunt with John Walsh (CNN), Mysteries at the Museum (Travel Channel), Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall (NBC), Six Degrees of Murder (Discovery Channel), Checked Out, On The Case with Paula Zhan (Discovery ID), Rabid Beast (Animal Planet TV), Suddenly Rich (TLC TV), Whistleblowers (Spike TV), Blood Feuds - Gangs of New York (Discovery Channel).In American Films he starred in Alice in America, Tango Shalom, Winter Has No Sun, Most Beautiful Island, Paisanos in Paris, Following Phil, Terminal 5, Sheepshead, Again, Overload Rock or Die, The Redemption, Kingdom of the Alley, Ring Ring, Laundry Day, Capicola, Make it Work, There Will Come Soft Rains, Amarena.He starred in several commercials for Sotheby's & eBay, Bank of America, Don Julio Tequila, Khiel's, Volkswagen, BJ's, Pepsi and more.​Full biography on www.davidserero.com

Book preview

Foreword

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Like many people in America and the rest of the world, May 25, 2020, will be a date that no one will ever forget. That day, I saw the terrible death of George Floyd on social media. This horrific video went viral and made headlines on every news channel. I had never seen a man agonizing and begging for his life under the knee of a Police officer in the United States of America, and thus in the 21st century. I was outraged and sad. This behavior was unacceptable, indeed criminal, and righteously prosecuted as such. As a Jew, it immediately reminded me of photos of Nazis who proudly killed Jews during the Holocaust. Though I didn't know the details of his arrest, I knew that this was not right. After George Floyd's tragic death, I started a series of events that I wanted to collect all within the same book, in the form of a Diary, to understand how an event led to another. I hope that future generations will understand the escalation that led from an obvious crime to a protest, then to an American revolution, to hopefully a change for the better in a country still struggling with racism.

After I watched on all news (from CNN to FOX News), social media, witnessed myself, and discussed with several people from all various cultures, I had several questions unanswered as an Immigrant and observer.

During the unprecedented time of the quarantine and lockdown, due to the pandemic of COVID-19, and while strict rules of self - distancing were applied, thousands of Americans took to the streets to protest against police brutality and to support the Black Lives Matter movement . Some protesters were peaceful, others very violent, creating chaos, which ultimately required the presence of the National Guard and a curfew.

For 8 minutes and 46 seconds, George Floyd struggled for his life and mentioned his sadly known « I Can ' t B reathe …Mama… » . My « fact-based-only » D iary, covered the events day by day from the tragic death of George Floyd to the protests, but also the looting and burning of businesses, the curfews, demolishing statues, burning the American Flag, reporters being rioted , Police officers being attacked while others showed their support by putting a knee down for George Floyd and the black Lives Matter movement . While some protesters showed their support for the police authorities, others provoked and attacked them . This prompted authorities to even request to ' defund the Police ' and passing new bills in order to have officers liable for their actions, while … innocents civilians were brutally shot during the deadly weekend of Independence Day in several cities of America and thus by other civilians.

Though several media tend to show only one truth, I maintain ed a large scope of what the reality was and report ed all facts, the good and the bad, from any sides.

Please note that I do not make any differences with anyone's skin colors, religions and orientations, though I like to refer to a culture that defines us and is made to be shared and preserved. I often like to say: « Culture is what is left, once we have forgotten and lost everything ».

After reading this Dairy, you will find the 100 Questions that I call « ILLOGICAL ». « Illogical » as the tragic death of George Floyd and other events. « Illogical » because we have the solutions in our hands, but no one wishes to use them. « Illogical » because th ese questions shouldn ' t be asked , as I would modestly think that we have learned the lessons of our History, and therefore, had already solved this matter. I decided to call them « The ILLOGICAL 100 » and I hope that it will open a healthy dialogue and reflection for everyone to debate in the most peaceful manner.

I stand by the sides of all Americans, regardless o f their ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations or political views. I was in the right position, I modestly believe, to observe a country sadly still struggling with race in the 21st century, and at the time of internet and social media, where History and education is so much available.

As a proud Immigrant of this amazing country of the United States, that I love and cherish from the bottom of my heart, I care about all lives. Separating each life into a specific category based on their ethnicity is racism to me. Yet, I observed and absorbed a lot of information that was reported every day by the media, social media posts, heated discussions, politicians, protesters, and more. I listened to comments and statements from all sides, from my outside eyes and ears (as I grew up in France where we are not defined by our race or ethnicities).

Please note that I do NOT have any political views and that this Diary is what I like to call the « facts-only-diary ».

My name is David Serero, I'm 39 years old, I've been performing for more than 20 years as an opera singer all over the world. I raised millions of dollars for charities to fight all sorts of death (including racism), and it has always been my single wish: That we could all live under the same roof and celebrate our cultures.

Though I'm a strong believer that all lives matter, I'm a strong ally to the Black people and their culture.

Let me say this loud and clear: America without Black people, will not be America .

Imagine this country without the music of the Jacksons, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Puff Daddy…, Singers (Paul Robeson, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong…), Politicians (Martin Luther King, Malcom X, John Lewis, Michelle, and Barak Obama), Entertainment Moguls (Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey…), Actors (Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Sidney Poitier…), Comedians (Steve Harvey, Richard Pryor, Bernie Mac, Tiffany Haddish…), Athletes (Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Tiger Woods, Serena Williams…), and many, many more. Without them, this country will be quite sad. Please always remember that all these artists and business people have created millions of jobs, paid billions of dollars of taxes, and are one of the reasons why the whole world wants to come to America, and therefore buy American goods. Young kids from all over the world idolize the work and legacy of the Black American culture. This culture, being a full component of the American Culture, must be respected and celebrated. There is no black or white America, only the United States of America!

Though I exposed the above with pride, I will always support the Police. They are here for you, and they'll always be there for you. I do believe that it is compatible to support the Black Lives Matter movement, mourn George Floyd's tragic death as well as others unresolved Police brutality (which I also expose in this book), AND respect the Police and the Authorities. Trust me, I got my car towed few times and received fines for barely a few miles above the speed limit, performed a bit too late for my neighbors at my apartment, but I never attacked nor insulted a Police officer as I have too much respect and admiration for their bravery. I respect the Law and the Police officers no matter what. Can you name any of your friends who will take a bullet for you, just to protect you? Would you even take a bullet yourself for someone you do not know? Well, this is the Diary of Police officers. Yet, no one cares…Everybody calls them when they have a problem. No one calls them to say, « Thank you for your service. I am having a great day. What about yourself? Wanna grab a beer? ». They are called in the worst and most complex situations and are often yelled out, insulted, and sadly lost their lives on the duty to protect all people. We can support the Black Lives Matter movement and yet be respectful toward the Laws and the Police, though brutality is sometimes overused by some of them in an unnecessary situation. Trust me; you do not wish to be in a country (in which weapons are so easily sold), where there are no Laws nor Police…

I wish to salute the Judge and District Attorney who has brought Justice to serve George Floyd's tragic death. This should serve as a lesson that Laws do apply to everyone and that no one is above them.

As all tragic parts of our History, we must sit and retain all the right lessons. Let's start from the beginning, the day of May 26th, 2020 in Minneapolis.

Before we do so, I wish to thank all the people and reporters who were on the field throughout the country to make information available for everyone. I'd like to thank Emily Ashley for her help, and the proofreaders for your work. I also would like to thank my father, Marcel Serero, whom I love above all. To my dear beloved one, who encouraged and advised me to write this book. To all my Black Brothers and Sisters who have inspired me all of my life. Back when I was a poor child and teenager living in the projects of the suburban Paris, I had the posters of Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, Will Smith, Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, Eddie Murphy, Whoopi Goldberg, and many more on my walls. These heroes of mine were fulfilling my dreams, that tomorrow, somehow, and someday will be…OK.

I wish to dedicate this book to the memory of George Floyd, and a special thought to his family. The same thought is going to all the victims who died because of their skin color, religion or orientation, from all over the world and throughout the course of our History, sadly teaching us that we should never take anything for granted.

With very much love,

David Serero

One afternoon of May 25th 2020, in Minneapolis…

May 25 th , 2020

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Death Of George Floyd

It was Memorial Day evening, May 25. Despite the strange turn the year had taken a few months earlier, the country was still honoring the men that had served in the military and died in action. The world was knee-deep in the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States, in particular, was struggling to keep its citizens alive and stay afloat. Employers were letting their workers go following a flimsy apology about their inability to pay workers, while millions of citizens were rendered jobless across the country.

George Floyd was not an exception. He had been laid off from his job as a security guard at The Salvation Army ’ s Harbor Light Center in Minneapolis. It was not a great job, but at least it took care of the bills, and that was a lot compared to the fate of most other African Americans.