Hey there, happy holidays. Over the next week or so, the show is going to be bringing you some of our favorite episodes from 2021. We're going to take you back to the stories and the people that defined our year. One of those people was named Marcia Howard. She lives just a few steps away from where George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

And she was one of the activists who helped establish what they call an autonomous zone around the site of George Floyd's death.

It became known as George Floyd Square.

In May, Marcia and I talked about

her year of activism. And stay tuned until the end of the show. We'll have an update from Marcia.

Also, quick heads up here. This episode includes some offensive language.

A year ago today, George Floyd was murdered, precisely 263 steps from Marcia Howard's house.

Marsha's a high school English teacher, or at least she was.

Now she's something else, an activist, a caretaker.

Even she has trouble coming up with the right word.

If George Floyd Square is kind of like a village,

can you describe your role in the village?

Like, are you the mayor?

I don't run nothing but my mouth.

I guess I would say, I don't know if that's entirely true, because when I look at, for instance, your social media, your handle is Marcia Howard 38th Street.

Clearly the place is deeply embedded inside of you.

I got to tell you, this is my neighborhood.

This is my neighborhood.

My own student is the one who filmed the death of George Floyd.

I haven't taught a day since.

Instead of reporting to a classroom, Marcia's been reporting to George Floyd Square.

She's part of a volunteer security team that's organized itself at the intersection of 38th and Chicago,

...