Political Quotes

On the recordSeptember 24, 2020
And still I rise. Mr. Speaker, and still I rise in the name of justice for Breonna Taylor. Mr. Speaker, it has been widely reported that the death of Breonna Taylor is a tragedy. Her death is being reported as a tragedy: a tragedy because she was innocent, she committed no crime; a tragedy because it happened in her home in the midnight hour; a tragedy because she was unarmed. It has been reported that her death was a tragedy. But there is a question, Mr. Speaker, about her death that we have to ask that few want to hear, because few want to consider the answer. But this is the preeminent question as it relates to her death, a question that will haunt us because of the history that we have with race relations in this country. We have to ask the question. It is a question that the status quo doesn't want to hear, because the status quo is concerned about the answer. It is a question that deals with systemic discrimination. Today I ask the question: If Breonna Taylor were a 26-year-old innocent White woman--innocent White woman, innocent White woman--who was killed in the middle of the night when Black police officers intruded into her home, would her death be a tragedy or a crime? ____________________
Said by
Al Green
Democratic · Texas
Source
govinfo.gov
Sep 24, 2020

Share

More from Al Green

Sep 4, 2025

It is addressed to the Justice Department, Civil Rights Division. There is a part of this letter that addresses the allegation that Texas engaged in race-based gerrymandering. There are two pages. The attorney general has in bold print…

govinfo.gov
May 27, 2026

This is not the end. This is the beginning of a new chapter.

pbs.org
Apr 23, 2026

Once again I rise to address we the people. Those who believe in a government of the people, by the people, for the people. Those who believe that all persons are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights…

govinfo.gov
Jun 25, 2025

President Trump’s unilateral, unprovoked use of force without congressional authorization or notice constitutes an abuse of power when there was no imminent threat to the United States.

truthout.org

Other voices in this conversation