Gianna Floyd Speaks On Life Without Her Father George Floyd: “It’s Hard” But “Daddy Changed The World”

As the five-year mark of George Floyd’s murder approaches, his daughter Gianna Floyd, now 11, continues to navigate a childhood shaped by unimaginable loss. In a phone conversation, her soft humming in the background stood as a rare moment of calm. “It’s hard,” she admitted, reflecting on life without her father. Once a symbol of resilience atop Stephen Jackson’s shoulders, chanting “Daddy changed the world,” Gianna now wrestles with adolescence burdened by grief.

She’s still discovering herself—torn between interests like cheerleading and volleyball, undecided like most kids her age. “This might sound mean, but it’s not, though,” Gianna said about her family’s choice to let her speak about her father on her own terms. “Them not talking about it that much? That makes me feel OK.” Her mother, Roxie Washington, remains protective yet thoughtful, struggling with when to intervene and when to let Gianna find her own way—especially when she’s bullied at school over her father’s death. The hate that killed George Floyd has trickled down to his daughter through the cruelty of peers mimicking what adults have said.

The writer, a parent himself, reflects on his own experiences raising daughters and wishes Gianna had the chance to share those everyday moments with her dad. He imagines the playful teasing she might have for George Floyd’s outdated music or fashion, or the laughter they might have shared over stories about VCRs and cassette tapes. “I wish she could call him and ask for his opinion,” he writes. “Even if he offered his perspective… there would be no guarantees that she would listen.” But at least she’d have the choice.

“I’m OK,” Gianna repeated quietly. It’s a small phrase carrying immense weight. In a world that often fails to protect Black children from the aftermath of state violence, Gianna stands as both a reminder of what was taken and what must still be fought for. “Because that’s what Derek Chauvin stole from George Floyd and also from that little girl: time.”

Link: Start Tribune