George Floyd’s family is speaking out after a joke about his death during Netflix’s The Roast of Kevin Hart sparked backlash online.

On Monday, May 25, Philonise “PJ” Floyd marked the sixth anniversary of his brother’s death with a lengthy Instagram statement. Instead of only reflecting on George Floyd’s life, Philonise addressed the way his brother’s final moments continue to be used in comedy, commentary and viral internet moments. He made it clear that, for the family, the pain has not faded into public content.

“My brother, George Floyd, was 46 years old when four Minneapolis police officers murdered him on May 25, 2020,” Philonise wrote, according to Hot 97. In the same post, he revisited the details of Floyd’s killing, including former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin pressing his knee against Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds while other officers restrained him and bystanders begged for help.

The statement came after comedian Tony Hinchcliffe faced criticism for a joke made during Netflix’s The Roast of Kevin Hart. The joke referenced George Floyd’s death and his final words, which many viewers felt crossed a line even within the context of roast comedy. Floyd’s family had already criticized the comment earlier this month, with a spokesperson for The Gianna and George Floyd Foundation calling it “sad for the culture.”

Philonise did not hold back in his response. He said people need to stop “playing” with the family’s grief and stressed that “real pain is not comedy” to those who still live with the loss. His post also pushed back against the way online culture can turn trauma into a punchline, especially when the people affected are still expected to absorb it quietly.

The controversy has also opened up a wider conversation about where roast comedy ends and cruelty begins. Celebrity roasts are known for harsh jokes, but Floyd’s family argues that George’s killing was not just a public event or political symbol. It was the death of a father, brother and loved one whose final moments were seen around the world.

That is why Philonise’s statement landed differently on the anniversary. It was not just about one joke. It was about the way George Floyd’s name keeps getting pulled back into public conversation without care for the family still grieving behind it.