George Floyd. A counsellors perspective, a human perspective.

Marie Finan
Jun 3, 2020
2 min read

Updated: Jun 30

A Reflection on George Floyd, Silence, and the Power of Compassion

Over the last few days, I’ve been reflecting on how to respond to the death of George Floyd and the unrest that has followed. His death—violent, public, and in the hands of authority—is profoundly disturbing. And shamefully, it was not unprecedented.

Initially, I hesitated to write. I worried I might say the wrong thing, or that I had little to offer as a white woman. But in truth, that’s exactly why it’s important for people like me to speak out. Silence isn’t enough.

So let me be clear:

I am not an expert in racial discrimination.
I am not Black.
But I am human.

I will never fully understand what it is to live as a Black person, but I can listen, support, speak up—and take responsibility for ongoing learning and unlearning.

Compassion Is the Heart of My Work

I consider myself incredibly fortunate—not just in life, but in my work as a counsellor in Cardiff. Every day, I have the honour of sitting alongside individuals from all walks of life. I am invited to hear their stories, witness their experiences, and walk with them through both pain and growth.

When you truly listen to another person’s life, something shifts. You begin to feel what it’s like to live in their skin. And from that place, empathy and connection flow naturally. Race, class, background, identity—all become threads of someone’s experience, but not barriers to understanding.

There Is No Place for Hate in Healing Work

Whether through my own therapy or my work with clients, I’ve seen that compassion heals. To feel seen and heard is deeply transformative. Discrimination, judgement, and hate—whether expressed outwardly or held within—have no place in that space. They simply aren’t helpful. No one benefits from carrying them.

That’s why I believe we must all speak up. When we ask each other to move beyond judgement, we are really asking each other to listen. Just listen. Hear someone’s truth. Sit with their reality. When we do that, empathy and compassion are not far behind.

Enough. It Is Time for Change.

We’ve seen marches, artwork, statements, solidarity posts. And maybe some people are growing tired of it. But this isn’t a moment—it’s a movement. This needs to happen.

Each of us is accountable. We can’t afford complacency.

So this is my message, and perhaps my invitation:Let’s speak up.Let’s listen better.Let’s promote compassion, challenge prejudice, and create safe, equitable spaces for all people—in and out of the therapy room.

Enough is enough.

The time for change is now.