Two days ago after the guilty verdict was announced in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Dereck Chauvin,
...for the murder of George Floyd,
...there was rejoicing not only across the United States. but among social justice advocates around the world.
And though Chauvin's conviction is cause for celebration that justice has been served - finally - in this case of a police officer brutally suffocating an unarmed Black man to death, is there much to celebrate beyond this one outcome?
George Floyd's brother proclaimed that after the conviction, "we are able to breathe again."
George Floyd's brother proclaimed that after the conviction, "we are able to breathe again."
But is that actually true?
Can Black parents be any less afraid for the lives of their children? Can Black mothers now stop worrying themselves sick that their sons might be stopped or pulled over or confronted by the police for any number of minor offenses, real or imagined, and end up dead?
When I think of George Floyd I think of all the other unarmed, non-threatening black men and boys who've been killed by the police, sometimes for no reason other than incompetence, malice or racism on the part of police officers. And I think of my own son,
Can Black parents be any less afraid for the lives of their children? Can Black mothers now stop worrying themselves sick that their sons might be stopped or pulled over or confronted by the police for any number of minor offenses, real or imagined, and end up dead?
When I think of George Floyd I think of all the other unarmed, non-threatening black men and boys who've been killed by the police, sometimes for no reason other than incompetence, malice or racism on the part of police officers. And I think of my own son,
...whom I cherish with all of my heart, knowing that every Black mother cherishes her own son just the same.
Now that Dereck Chauvin will be going to prison do members of communities of color everywhere need to worry any less that if they call the police because of a disturbance or danger that some person will needlessly die, not at the hands of a criminal, but at the hands of the police?
If a Black person sees a dangerous situation or finds themself in one, how can they dare to call the police if the police come not to bring peace and protection but to do them harm? What protection do people of color have in this country if they must fear not only being victims of crime but victims of the police?
All Americans live in fear of crime. But people of color still must live in as much fear of the police as of criminals. Maybe even more.
Now that Dereck Chauvin will be going to prison do members of communities of color everywhere need to worry any less that if they call the police because of a disturbance or danger that some person will needlessly die, not at the hands of a criminal, but at the hands of the police?
If a Black person sees a dangerous situation or finds themself in one, how can they dare to call the police if the police come not to bring peace and protection but to do them harm? What protection do people of color have in this country if they must fear not only being victims of crime but victims of the police?
All Americans live in fear of crime. But people of color still must live in as much fear of the police as of criminals. Maybe even more.
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