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Teen Who Recorded George Floyd’s Death Awarded With Honorary Pulitzer Prize

I know that’s right! It’s not every day that someone is awarded a Pulitzer Prize who isn’t a journalist! Many of you are familiar with Darnella Frazier. She is the young woman who recorded the over 8-minute interaction with former Minneapolis Police Officers leading up to the death of George Floyd. Darnella also testified during the Derek Chauvin trial this past March. Darnella has been recognized for her brave actions, and some have called for her to receive the prestigious honor, including former Pulitzer Prize winner Juror Roy Peter Clark.

Roy felt that Darnella should be considered, and he acknowledged “the material and the creator fall outside the traditional boundaries” of the prizes, but her video has a “social and ethical purpose, one that aligns with journalistic values.” It seems like the Pulitzer Prize board had their ears to the street and took heed to folks advocating for Darnella. Today, Pulitzer announced that they are awarding a special citation to Darnella, according to the Washington Post. In a statement, they said, “Courageously reporting the murder of George Floyd, a video that spurred protests against police brutality around the world, highlighting the crucial role of citizens in journalists’ quest for truth and justice,.”

Darnella has been pretty quiet on social media since Derek Chauvin was convicted for George’s murder. At the time, she released a statement on her Facebook page, seeming as a sigh of relief. “I just cried so hard. This last hour my heart was beating so fast. I was so anxious, anxiety bussing through the roof. But to know GUILTY ON ALL 3 CHARGES !!!, “she wrote. She continued, “THANK YOU, GOD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.THANK YOU. George Floyd, we did it!! Justice has been served.”

Congratulations Darnella!

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China Lovelace