The USA just killed an unarmed American citizen and mother - shooting Renee Nicole Good in the face. The “kind” 37 year old mother of one was fleeing from ICE when they shot her multiple times.
She died blocks from where she lived.
The video evidence shows officials appearing to shoot to kill, and then refusing medical attention afterwards.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING VIDEO IS EXTREMELY GRAPHIC - Do not peruse if you feel you may be affected. Please do not share with minors
Kristi Noem, USA’s Secretary for Homeland Security, slammed Good a “domestic terrorist” and Donald Trump taunted Good as a “professional agitator”, apparently before her body was even removed, calling it “self defence”.
By all non-political accounts though, Good was a “kind” woman who cared deeply about others. She was also a mother, a writer, an artist, a good neighbour, a wonderful community member, and friend.
The theme “kindness” and “compassion” dominate early coverage of her life.
And friends are important.
Last year, Judith Collins called Kristi Noem a “friend” too as she toured the USA, meeting with Trump’s Administration.
Collins is keen to ‘do business’ with the United States selling NZ’s military capabilities and leapfrogging off Rocket Lab’s “success” selling to Israeli and USA military.
And she is enthusiastic about the friendships, expressing pleasure and pride after the US told Collins “NZ is doing a good job”.
It’s true that friends are important, but it’s also true that we need to choose our friends wisely here, because they are a reflection of who we are too, and we’re humans foremost, and not economic units or puppets of power.
Aren’t we?
