The Narrator
The protagonist is the unnamed young African American boy who witnesses racially motivated protests during the Covid-19 pandemic in the USA. The boy watches heightened George Floyd protests on TV during the Covid-19 pandemic and wonders what people mean by saying 'I Can't Breathe.' The racial onslaught and violence are systematic, and the boy asks himself unanswered questions. The slogan 'Can't Breathe' prompts the boy to reflect on his father's deteriorating condition because he is Covid-19 positive and has difficulties breathing.
The Narrator’s Father
The narrator's father is a Covid-19 victim, and he is having difficulties breathing. For instance, the narrator realizes that his father's condition worsens every day because he is coughing heavily. The narrator tries to connect the events on TV and his father's worsening condition.
The Narrator’s Brother
The narrator's brother is unnamed, and he plays video games most of the time. The narrator tries to distract his brother's attention to see the brutality subjected to black people on TV, but it is in vain.
The Narrator’s Mother
The narrator’s mother is a black woman whose husband is suffering from what is suspected to be Covid-19 virus. The harsh revelation is that black Americans are not given equal chances to get hospital beds as their white counterparts. Therefore, the narrator's father is at home despite worsening his condition. The narrator is upset because his mother is unwilling to change the TV channel.
The narrator’s family members
The narrator’s family members are all black and are subjected to racism and unequal treatment. Therefore, the narrator’s family members take an active role in civil demonstrations against the killing of George Floyd to express their anger and frustrations.
George Floyd
Floyd is an African American man who is brutally mishandled and killed by the police. The death of Floyd attracts nationwide protests, and the whole world joins black Americans in demanding fair treatment for blacks. The narrator realizes that every TV channel is airing demonstrations tabbed 'I Can't Breathe' referring to Floyd's final words before dying.
