Corona Diary (March 29–April 4)

Like everyone, we are currently experiencing challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless of our nationality, age, or cultural practices, social distancing has rapidly become the norm. The following is a weekly series of thoughts and experiences across five different cities and countries, in the hope of making connections and distinctions in a strange and uncertain time.

Brooklyn, New York, The United States

by Jon Gayomali

The trial of Derek Chauvin, the man who murdered George Floyd began this week. For the first time, I saw the whole 9 minute video and how the story unfolded. It was very hard to watch, but I felt as if it something I should see. As people stood around watching him struggle, many were yelling at the cops to get off of him. Many were yelling and filming for them to check his breathing, his pulse, and that he wasn’t resisting.

I didn’t watch the whole trial, but one narrative that stuck out to me was the story of Christopher Martin, the former store clerk who called the police on George Floyd because of a counterfeit $20 bill that George used to buy cigarettes. The look of regret and innocence of Christopher was very moving, and described the guilt of being the main “domino” that knocked over all the others, and started the series of events that unfolded.

UCLA, my alma mater, was defeated in the Final Four NCAA basketball tournament by Gonzaga on Saturday with a near half-court game-winner. It was one of the best games I have ever seen. The last time UCLA went to the Final Four was 2008 when I was still in Pomona. Only 5 11 seeds had made the Final Four. It was a great one, and featured Johnny Juzang, a half Vietnamese guard and outperformed everyone in the tournament. It’s about time another Asian-American has made the NBA. I’m sure he’ll be there soon.