Tuesday May 25, 2021 marked one year since the murder of George Floyd. Readers have likely seen the video that Darnella Frazier filmed. Outside of Cup Foods on Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, former police officer, Derek Chauvin, applied pressure to Floyd’s neck. Chauvin proceeded to do this for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, even when Floyd pleaded, “I can’t breathe.”

Floyd’s fatal encounter with authorities impacted a myriad of people across the nation. Mourning, protesting, and discussing the reality of racial inequity was unfolding at a higher rate. Ona Wilcox is an educator in Cottage Grove. The Journal asked her, “What has the past year been like for you and for anyone in this [Cottage GROW] group?” to which she answered, “I would say eye-opening…for all people involved.”

Wilcox is a Black woman who finds conversations surrounding race to be constant. Since the murder of Floyd, she has witnessed many priveleged people voluntarily partaking in these discussions for the first time. “We as…minorities… have been having these conversations our whole lives. We can’t avoid racism. And we’ve always had the conversation of, ‘How do you keep your children alive?’” Wilcox had visited the topic earlier that night, “…Knowing that people want to be a part of a solution of a problem that I’ve been aware of my whole life, now it’s eye-opening to other people because they’re now aware of something that I’ve always known.”

The amount of attention that others were investing into the Black community became apparent to Wilcox a couple of months ago. She processed, “With the death of George Floyd, for me, this year it started off as just another Black man killed. And with the…jury’s decision to find Derek Chauvin guilty, to find that justice, it kind of took a little bit of weight off and it made me really think, ‘The world is listening.’” Wilcox perceived that society was hearing the cries of the oppressed. Meanwhile, her confidence in being heard was increasing. In an interview with The Journal, she decided, “I have felt more comfortable this past year sharing my own personal story.”

Wilcox credited a young public service group in Cottage Grove for reassuring her. That organization is Cottage GROW.

Cottage GROW initiated with the emotions of East Ridge High School instructor, Cindy Gish. She was “angry” and “heartbroken” by how Floyd had passed. Also, the racially- motivated aggressions ensuing in Cottage Grove bewildered and perturbed Gish. She described, “Of course, with the one year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd kind of brings back the trauma that everyone experienced…when that occurred and we were all on lockdown and seeing that, being a teacher in this district…I had connections with some of my students of color that I was talking to…and having some very heart-wrenching conversations about the whole situation and the attitudes and things that were happening in Cottage Grove that I just could not bear…I was angry and heartbroken…” Gish channeled her distress into seeking for an opportunity to locally combat racial inequity. First, she contacted Pastor John R. Magee at Light The Way Church for assistance. He agreed to meet with Gish. Furthermore, Pastor Magee introduced her to Eric Morgan, who is now a Cottage GROW leader. One summer morning last year, the three of them brainstormed how they could make a difference. Gish summarized, “…we decided that we needed to start, at least the three of us talking and [getting others to come] and at least meet each other. And people came.”

Each Tuesday evening succeeding their initial meeting, Gish, Pastor Magee, and Morgan exchanged points of views with community members. Throughout these gatherings in Light The Way Church’s lot, several norms developed. Morgan identified them: “This is the norms of what we stand for: we show up fully present, we love for ourselves and for others, we assume good intent and reflect on an impact, we open ourselves up to learning, mistakes and connections, where we begin is not where we end, we make space, we take space, we have double confidentiality, what is said here, stays here, what is learned here leaves here.”

Alongside establishing rules, Cottage GROW has facilitated activities in Cottage Grove. To name a few, they have organized a drive-in movie night, Halloween event, watch party fundraiser, and most recently, a memorial service.

The George Floyd Memorial service occurred in Light The Way Church’s parking lot from 6:30pm to 8pm on Tuesday, May 25. Morgan launched the evening by reading Cottage GROW’s norms. Next, he handed the microphone over to Gish. She taught the crowd all about Cottage GROW’s origins, goals, and motives. Then, Wilcox was invited by Morgan to voice the agenda and purposes of the George Floyd Memorial. Based on her words, the ceremony concerned more than Floyd’s murder. “There’s been countless other African American men and women killed by police officers who haven’t received justice or haven’t been memorialized for it. So, this goes beyond just George Floyd, this goes for every person but this is just the day that we’re choosing to recognize any person who’s been victim to that, any family member who has lost someone because of…a police officer, anybody experiencing that,” Wilcox expressed.

After concluding her speech, Wilcox motioned for a moment of silence. She prompted participants to “honor” the victims of police brutality and “reflect” on what they could do about racial inequity. Quiet endured for nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds. This was the identical duration in which Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck.

Subsequently, Angelina Tchougo illustrated the meaningful planting of chamomile seeds. Before everybody jumped into gardening, Tchougo dove into the ceremony’s significance. “We are Cottage GROW, so we are growing together… And we’re going to be planting chamomile seeds. And I’m just going to talk about the symbolism. It has many meanings. But the one that I liked the most was…energy during adversity. And I feel like this past year…I feel like it’s been a wave. Sometimes we have that high energy, sometimes it’s low, and we need that pickup. But, I think it’s important that we plant the seeds as a reminder to continue to keep that energy and continue to fight for things that we know are right.”

Propped up in Light The Way Church’s parking lot were four tables. They were set with soil, biodegradable pots, chamomile seeds, and plant labels marked with inspirational messages. Attendees visited the stations and followed the potting instructions. This was the closing section of the George Floyd Memorial. Around 8pm, people navigated home, carrying a representation of “energy in adversity” with them.

It is possible that some readers were hoping to appear at, but could not attend the George Floyd Memorial. They would be content to know that Cottage GROW aims to host additional gatherings this summer. Gish revealed to The Journal: “Change needs to happen…Our goal is to have events and have us all get to know one another and to continue to grow in a way that brings positive change to Cottage Grove.”

To keep informed about their work, one can friend “Cottage GROW Public Page” on Facebook, follow @cottagegrow on Instagram, or direct any questions to [email protected] gmail.com.

Students, educators, volunteers and other community members keep positive intentions as they unite with Cottage GROW.

Graphic By: Cottage Grow and Ange Hillz. This flyer directed a crowd of people to Light The Way Church in Cottage Grove one year after George Floyd’s murder.