Nationwide — Gianna, the 11-year-old daughter of George Floyd, continues to face bullying at her middle school in Texas, even five years after her father’s passing. Some of her classmates direct hurtful words and spread false statements that echo the negative attacks on her father’s legacy.
Gianna once proudly stood on the shoulders of NBA star Stephen Jackson, declaring, “Daddy changed the world.” Despite this, she is now targeted by similar rhetoric that aims to undermine the memory of George Floyd.
Her mother, Roxie Washington, finds herself torn between wanting to protect Gianna and encouraging her to develop the strength to defend herself. Washington shared, “Do I rush to the school to find out ‘Who did what?’ Or do I allow her to handle her own challenges?” She added, “I don’t want her to feel isolated. But I also want her to learn to stand independently.”
Meanwhile, certain conservative figures continue to circulate false claims about George Floyd’s death. For instance, Ben Shapiro has incorrectly stated that Floyd died from a drug overdose. However, official reports confirm that George Floyd died due to cardiopulmonary arrest caused by police restraint.
Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes, was found guilty of murder in 2021 and is currently serving a 22-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Despite this conviction, some groups continue to advocate for his release, spreading misinformation that not only impacts Floyd’s legacy but also affects Gianna’s daily life.
