SALT LAKE CITY It s been nearly seven months since George Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody, resulting in a murder charge being filed against the officer who knelt on Floyd s neck for some eight minutes.
Floyd s death ignited protests across the globe about racial equality, social justice and discrimination, including multiple demonstrations in Utah.
As many public bodies in Utah have pondered the best path forward, Shawn Newell says addressing issues of racial inequality, discrimination and social justice in the public square requires difficult and honest conversations.
Newell, who is Black, was bused to school as part of California s school desegregation efforts in the late 1960s. He is a graduate of the University of Utah, where he played football. He was later under contract with the Chicago Bears but didn t play due to injuries.