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It’s been five years since Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd under his knee at the corner of 38th and Chicago.

The footage of his murder — captured by teenager Darnella Frazier — was seen around the world. It made its way to the TV screen of Floyd’s uncle, Selwyn Jones, in a small town in South Dakota.

Jones spoke with our Emily Bright about his memories of that day.

Press play above to listen to their conversation, or read a transcript below, edited for time and clarity. 

 I’m thinking, why doesn’t somebody help this guy? And my sister calls me after about a minute and a half, and she said, “Did you see what?” So I hang up my phone. 

All of those emotions I was having that was just breaking my heart, that person that I didn’t know, that I felt sorrow for, was my sister’s baby boy, and that changed the whole dynamic of my life there ever since May the 26th.

Keep in mind, I do live in a town with 1,200 people. I went from being OK because I lived like them, to being the dumbest “n” that ever lived. I needed to go back to Africa. And all these people that I was friends with, I’ve been to their houses, and one day, the day that I found out my nephew died, my life changed. 

I haven’t been in a store in my hometown in five years because of hatred and racism.

Well, you have taken everything that’s happened to you and poured yourself into activism since your nephew’s death. Has activism helped you process what’s happened?

You know, dear, I’ve been Black for — it’ll be 59 years tomorrow and I’ve seen a lot of things growing up in rural North Carolina. We grew up poor, no indoor plumbing, no running water. We grew up with people degrading us, talking down to us, belittling enough because we didn’t have anything. I’ve been fighting a battle my whole life, so this was a natural battle for me to turn to, because I’ve seen the atrocities. 

I have an opportunity to change people’s lives. How many people have died the same way my nephew died, and nobody never heard about them? 

Fuel has always been anger to me. You know, if somebody tells you can't do something, I'm damned if you can tell me I can't do something. More fuel to the fire, dear.

Your organization is called Justice 929. What has been your approach as you’re working to end systemic racism?

. What has been your approach as you’re working to end systemic racism?

I’ve gotten into the wrongful conviction realm. We’ve got a division of missing persons. We have a division of domestic violence. Uncle Selwyn is just trying to make a difference in this world, dear, from something that was given to him that he didn't want. Because I definitely would prefer to see my big ugly nephew.

In your eyes, has anything changed for the better in the past five years?

There’s been a little change, but there won’t ever be enough change until people stop dying. You know, qualified immunity is still dictating what happens to people that blatantly commit murder, but they hide behind that qualified immunity, which pretty much gives you a free right to harm someone anytime you want to, which is wrong.

How do you plan to spend the anniversary this coming Monday?

I leave here Thursday and go to Minneapolis, and I will just go in and rejoice and meet people and because, dear, this ain’t about my nephew no more. I can never bring him back. 

This is about the people that are going to need people like me to navigate them through these difficult times. Because we've got a lot of difficult times coming, dear, if they pardon Mr. Chauvin.

Emily Bright

Host

Gretchen Brown

Author

Selwyn Jones was living in small town South Dakota when the footage of his nephew being murdered made it to his TV screen. Since then, he has poured himself into activism work.

Selwyn Jones spoke with MPR News guest host Emily Bright.

George Floyd's uncle says his nephew's death changed his life

A man stands in front of a microphone surrounded by media.

George Floyd’s uncle says his nephew’s death changed his life

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