Millions have stood up for George Floyd. Can one person speak up for Knowledge Sims?

When George Floyd was killed this spring by a Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for several minutes, millions marched in justifiable outrage over his death.

And we are a better society today because all of these people have felt compelled to stand up for George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who senselessly died.

But is there one person willing to speak up for Knowledge Sims?

Is there one individual who will stand up for Knowledge, the 7-year-old Columbia Black child who died May 1 when two gunmen fired dozens of rounds of bullets into the Tarragon Drive home where Knowledge lived with his family?

Is there just one individual who can be stirred to reveal what they know about the killers who in cold-blooded fashion took the life of a mere kid — a small boy who liked playing football and video games?

Is there just one individual willing to do for one brutally murdered Black child in Columbia what multitudes have felt called to do for one cruelly killed Black man in Minneapolis?

To seek justice in his name?

Still no answers

Sadly, we still don’t what led to Knowledge’s death.

And we still don’t know — with any certainty — the identities of those who killed this child.

In a text reply to The State Editorial Board, Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said this about the ongoing investigation into Knowledge’s death:

“While CPD investigators are making progress, they could greatly benefit from Crime Stoppers tips or tips directly to them. We strongly believe that people with information to solve the case are reluctant to call the police for fear that they will be considered ‘snitches.’”

Added Timmons: “If they don’t want to help us, they should find it in their heart to help Knowledge.”

And the reality is that the very things that millions have been raising their voices about in the wake of Floyd’s death are at play in the unwillingness of one person to raise their voice about Knowledge’s killing.

Fragile Black lives

Floyd’s death — which came after more than eight terrifying minutes of having his breath gradually choked away under a police officer’s knee — alarmed many people because it revealed how fragile life remains for many Blacks in a country still grappling with issues of race and racism.

But isn’t it equally alarming and painful to realize just how fragile young Knowledge’s life was during the moments when this small, innocent Black child fought for air and survival after being struck by indiscriminately sprayed bullets?

Better policing

Floyd’s death has sparked overdue conversations on our responsibility to improve how police carry out policing — and foster productive relationships with the communities they serve.

But shouldn’t Knowledge’s death stir equally tardy discussions about the responsibility of citizens to help police protect in better fashion — by breaking the “code of silence” that allows criminal, destructive activities to go unpunished in many communities?

Seeking accountability

Floyd’s death provided all of us with a searing reminder that we have an obligation to never rest in demanding accountability when wrongdoing takes place.

But right now we have the equally searing realization that on the streets of our city, the individuals responsible for Knowledge’s violent death are still eluding accountability for what they have done.

Don’t we have an obligation to be just as relentless in making these killers accountable for their wrongdoing?

All of us should feel driven to demand justice on behalf on George Floyd’s carelessly lost life.

But will one person feel driven to do what’s needed to bring us closer to finding justice on behalf of Knowledge Sims’ tragically short life?

Please?

This story was originally published July 31, 2020 at 7:56 AM.