Justice, Equity and Race
A reflection on the Derek Chauvin trial (June 25, 2021)
Relief. Anti-climactic. Depression. Empathy. Disbelief. These are just a few of the emotions that I felt when I heard the verdict read. The news item popped up on my phone alerting me to the fact that the verdict would be read between 3:30 and 4pm CST. At 3:35, I realized that I had forgotten to turn the tv on, and immediately set to it. I waited, as much of the nation did to hear the conclusion that the jury had decided up.
After a few minutes of preparation, and listening to the press prepare us, the judge came on the screen, split with Derek Chauvin. He read the verdicts for each count that Chauvin was charged with. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. I didn’t realize it, until the first “guilty” was read, but I had been holding my breath. With the first guilty, I let go a little bit, and started to breath again.
Justice?
Finally! A jury had finally found a police officer guilty of the charges against him in the death of someone he was sworn to serve and protect. Derek Chauvin was guilty! I felt relief. We all already knew it. But it was finally a decision on the right side of morality. I can’t say I was happy because we shouldn’t have even been “here”. “Here”, at this particular place and time with this set of circumstances. The crime that George Floyd was being accused of.
My thoughts on this are all over the place. There is no side to take on the issue except for the side of what is right and just. George Floyd’s life should never have been in jeopardy. A man, a Black man, lost his life at the knee of an unstable police officer who thought that HE, and HE alone, at the time, knew best. No one gave him that kind of power. He claimed it. Unjustly. For himself. By himself. No person deserves to have someone kneel on their neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds! None!
Survivor’s Guilt?
I can’t image how the young man feels that initially called to the police with regard to what he thought was a fake $20. He was looking after his employer’s business. I’m sure he never in a lifetime thought that the man he called about over a $20 bill would end up dead on the street under the police officer’s knee. I can’t imagine the type of effect this is going to have on people feeling like it’s ok to call the police when you need help. Will you stop and think if the person you’re calling about might be killed as a result?
Hope
I hope that George Floyd’s life will not have been lost in vain. There is nothing that we can do to bring him back. There is nothing that we can do or say that will bring solace to his family. But if that recording coming out can somehow prevent another unnecessary death of a Black person, then it will have helped in some way. I hope that this helps people step forward when they see something. I hope that this puts everyone on notice that the color of your skin in this nation does still matter. And I hope that bring the realization to white people that we need to do better and be better.
White Privilege
This would never have happened if George Floyd’s skin had been white.
