How do we think about the George Floyd murder?

Encyclopedia of Opinion

Question: How do we think about the George Floyd murder?
Position‹4 of 5›: George Floyd's murder is simply a murder: It is not representative of wider issues

This position holds that George Floyd's death was simply a murder, not a symbol of wider issues. It argues an isolated killing cannot be used to draw broad conclusions about American society or politics—a view whose proponents often also dispute the protest movement that followed.

Supporting arguments · 5

George Floyd's murder was justified
The role of the police is to prevent crime and to protect society from dangerous individuals. The police were responding to a call from a concerned shopkeeper when they dealt with George Floyd. While the situation might have spiralled out of control, Derek Chauvin was doing his job. Unfortunately, accidental deaths stemming from police intervention are part and parcel of American society. This is a necessary sacrifice for social stability and functioning democracy.
The George Floyd response has been completely unjustified
No amount of injustice warrants the destruction of America’s streets. The reaction is unproductive, disproportionate, and lawless, giving free rein to opportunistic criminals and anarchists- while tarnishing George Floyd's legacy. What we need is a mediated approach.
The George Floyd murder has unleashed an anti-white campaign of violence
Wherever you stand on whether George Floyd's murder was justified is irrelevant. The chaos that has unfolded in its wake is where we should be focusing our attention. Black communities have instigated an anti-white movement under the guise of 'equality and justice'. They are destroying (mostly) white businesses in nightly rampages that leave communities terrified and broken. At the heart of the riots is racist hatred towards whites, which is now playing out in this national campaign. Proponents include far-right NRA activists, such as the online AK Files community.
George Floyd was a criminal
George Floyd was a convicted criminal. He had spent five years in jail for robbery and assault and was accused of previous crimes. He was not the innocent victim that mainstream media reports suggest. It is not surprising, given this long criminal history, that he was treated with suspicion by police.
George Floyd had a criminal history and was resisting arrest
George Floyd had a history of criminal offences and had been to prison numerous times. Whilst he did not deserve to die in the way that he did, he should not be turned into a martyr for injustices suffered by innocent black people as he himself was by no means innocent.