This is a beginning. This is a victory. But this is not enough. 

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison: “I would not call today’s verdict justice, however, because justice implies true restoration. But it is accountability, which is the first step toward justice.

This has to end. We need true justice. That’s not one case. That is a social transformation that says that nobody’s beneath the law and nobody’s above it. This verdict reminds us that we must make enduring, systematic, societal change.”

Deep exhale. Relief. A mournful joy.

These days, a victory for truth is not a small victory. Now let’s work, together, to reform the system for all of us, for truth, for justice, for equality, for love.

Because the verdict of one case (when there so many that get so little attention) is important—but it is not nearly enough.

Every little step in the right direction is worth celebrating—with the knowledge that we’re celebrating only thanks to the sacrifices of all those oppressed by our unjust society.

Please share, but only if you’re inspired to do so of course. Otherwise this message of love and responsibility and anti-racism won’t see the light of day. 

“The reason George Floyd is dead is because Mr. Chauvin’s heart was too small,” the prosecutor Jerry Blackwell said to close Derek Chauvin’s trial. 

“I can only imagine the pressure and anxiety they are feeling, so I waited till the jury was sequestered,” Mr. Biden said of his conversation with the Floyd family during brief remarks in the Oval Office. “They’re a good family, & they’re calling for peace & tranquillity, no matter what that verdict is. I’m praying the verdict is the right verdict.” The evidence “is overwhelming in my view.” ~ President Biden

It’s We the People vs. this so-called cop.

We all know that Derek Chauvin is guilty.

We know this because we know who he is.

We also know what will happen after the trial. There will be protests, and somber celebrations. There will be a torrent of noise on twitter, MSNBC, Fox, all of it.

But to continue to bend the arc of history toward justice, we must speak up. Stand up. Without vilifying all police, or too quickly buying into facile slogans like “defund” (the meaning behind it makes a lot of sense, look into it instead of knee-jerking for or against it), we must reform the relationship between our police, who should be here to protect and serve all, and We the People.

Waking our society up is painful. Waking ourselves up is painful.

This process is painful. But remember: Congressman John Lewis would remind his younger compatriots: great progress has been made. And it’s made because of those who chose to invest their anger and heartbreak and hope into good trouble.

So don’t add hate, to hate. Add love, to hate, until it dissolves in clear-seeing. Let us see one another. Let us feel one another’s hearts.

But, too: love isn’t passive. It isn’t forgiveness, first. That comes later. First, let’s fix things for We the People, and our children, starting now.

 

In comments, please list organizations or causes or actions worth supporting now.