Protests erupted after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, but activists and race educators say Floyd’s death was just one instance in a long history of racial injustice in America.
“What happened with George Floyd is in some ways a metaphor for what we have experienced since we were brought here in chains – that we can’t breathe,” said Dr. Caprice Hollins, a race educator in Seattle.
As America reckons with its racist past amid current unrest, we look back not just at the last four months but the last 400 years.
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This story was produced as part of “Facing Race,” a KING 5 series that examines racism, social justice and racial inequality in the Pacific Northwest. Tune in to KING 5 on Sundays at 9:30 p.m. to watch live and catch up on our coverage here.