The 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis catapulted the local community and the world into a flurry of feelings including anger and despair. In the days and years that followed, art became a cathartic tool for dealing with emotions.
We Miss You, George Floyd is a 2024 picture book by Shannon Gibney, illustrated by Leeya Rose Jackson. It follows the story of a young girl who lives near George Floyd Square in Minneapolis and explores the effect the murder has on her and her community. Gibney based the character on her own daughter.
"She's trying to make sense of what is going on, why are people so upset", said Gibney. "Why are there marches and riots and all these things? And how does this connect to other murders of black people by the police in her community, beyond her community, nationwide."
The book seeks to humanize the man who was murdered nearly 5 years ago, showing that he was not just a statistic. George Floyd was a father, brother, son, and a friend. He was a member of a community.
We Miss You George, Floyd is available anywhere books are sold, including online through the University of Minnesota Press.
Minnesota Reads is produced at The North 103.3 with funding provided in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
