Meghan Markle: ‘George Floyd’s Life Mattered’

‘George Floyd said as she made a heartfelt message to students graduating from her former school. In the six-minute speech, the Duchess admitted she was ‘nervous’ to speak about racism, police brutality and the wave of protests following Mr Floyd’s death, but added ‘the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing because George Floyd's life mattered and Breonna Taylor's life mattered and Philando Castile's life mattered and Tamir Rice's life mattered’. The virtual address happened yesterday, and it was first reported by US African-American magazine Essence.

‘I wasn't sure what I could say to you,’ Meghan told the all-girls school, Immaculate Heart High School. ‘I wanted to say the right thing and I was really nervous that I wouldn't or it would get picked apart, and I realised the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing because George Floyd's life mattered and Breonna Taylor's life mattered and Philando Castile's life mattered and Tamir Rice's life mattered. And so did so many other people whose names we know and whose names we do not know.’

Meghan continued, speaking about growing up during the 1992 LA riots. ‘I was 11 or 12 years old and it was the LA riots, which was also triggered by a senseless act of racism,’ she added. ‘I remember the curfew and I remember rushing back home, and on that drive home, seeing ash fall from the sky, and smelling the smoke and seeing the smoke billow out of buildings. I remember seeing men in the back of a van just holding guns and rifles. I remember pulling up the house and seeing the tree, that had always been there, completely charred. And those memories don't go away.’

She also spoke about her time at the school, saying that she went volunteering and was told by a teacher to ‘always remember to put others' needs above your own fears'. Meghan also told students, ‘With as diverse, vibrant and opened minded as I know the teachings at Immaculate Heart are, I know you know that black lives matter. You’re going to use your voice in a stronger way than you have ever been able to because most of you are 18 – or you’re turning 18 — so you’re going to vote. You’re going to have empathy for those who don’t see the world through the same lens that you do. You’re ready. We need you and you’re prepared.'

'We are seeing people stand in solidarity, we are seeing communities come together and to uplift,’ she said. ‘And you are going to be part of this movement.'

Four officers have now been charged in relation to George Floyd’s death in police custody in Minneapolis on 25 May, following Black Lives Matter protests worldwide.

READ MORE: ‘The Image Of George Floyd’s Death Is A Visceral Representation Of What The Black Community Has Felt For Decades’

READ MORE::a[Candice Brathwaite: ‘Daily Micro-Aggressions Can Chip Away At A Black British Person’s Existence']{href='https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/opinion/candice-brathwaite-british-racism/' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener noreferrer'}