The Pulitzer Prize committee announced on Friday, June 11th, that Darnella Frazier, the teenager who filmed the killing of George Floyd, won an exceptional award from the Pulitzer Prize Board.  

The Board annually awards notable journalism work throughout the country. This year, the board awarded a prestigious citation to Frazier for her effort in recording the murder of George Floyd. During Friday's presentation, Pulitzer Prize co-chair Mindy Marqués emphasized that Frazier "courageously recording the murder of George Floyd, a video that spurred protests against police brutality around the world, highlighted the crucial role of citizens in journalists' quest for truth and justice." 

Frazier was 17-years-old when she recorded the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Frazier was walking with her 9-year-old cousin to Cup Foods when she started to record Chauvin placing his knee on Floyd’s neck for over 9 minutes. The footage was crucial in Chauvin's prosecution and conviction for George Floyd's murder.

According to a psychologist, Maryam Jernigan-Noesi, "George Floyd, for Black people, was a reminder of the history, of the consistency and the pervasiveness of racism.” The recording helped the world understand the systematic realities and racism underlying Black life in America.

On Floyd's one-year death anniversary, Darnella stated she was pleased with herself, despite the fact that it had been a horrible life-changing experience. “If it hadn't been for my video, the world would not have known the truth,” she continued. 

Chauvin is convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. 

By Emilie Chi