The Pulitzer Prizes on Friday awarded a special citation to Darnella Frazier, the teenager whose 2020 video recording of an officer kneeling on George Floyd’s neck before he died rocked the nation and prompted more national conversations around racism and police brutality.
“The Floyd story in particular highlighted not only the essential role of journalists, but the increasing importance of ordinary citizens in the quest for truth and justice,” said Mindy Marques, co-chair of the Pulitzer Prize Board, during the award ceremony.
“We want to note that the board has awarded a special citation to Darnella Frazier, the teenage witness who filmed and posted the transformative video that jolted viewers and spurred protests against police brutality around the world,” Marques added.
The video was an important piece of evidence used in the trial of former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin. A jury in April found Chauvin guilty on all charges in the murder of Floyd.
Journalists, lawmakers and others praised both Frazier, 18, and the Pulitzer Prize Committee.
“Darnella Frazier is part of a proud tradition of truth tellers who helped open our nation’s eyes to injustices that inspired movements for change. Grateful for her courage and strength,” tweeted Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.).
“I cannot explain how important it is that the Pulitzer Prize Committee awarded its Special Citation to Darnella Frazier for the video she took of George Floyd’s death at the hands of the murderer Derek Chauvin,” New Yorker staff writer Jelani Cobb wrote on Twitter.
In an Instagram post last month reflecting on the one-year anniversary of Floyd’s death, Frazier wrote: “Even though this was a traumatic life-changing experience for me, I’m proud of myself. If it weren’t for my video, the world wouldn’t have known the truth.”
Updated at 2:23 p.m.