The day a white police officer was held accountable for the death of a Black individual felt monumental, yet it’s hard to shake the feeling of skepticism. I vividly recall the 2014 case of Eric Garner, where an officer was not even indicted despite clear evidence of a fatal chokehold. The tragic pattern of white officers killing Black individuals and escaping punishment has been all too familiar. One of the officers involved in Breonna Taylor’s death is not only free but has also secured a book deal. It raises the question: would Derek Chauvin have faced accountability without the intense public scrutiny? His conviction doesn’t necessarily signal a shift in how the justice system treats police violence against Black communities.
Chauvin’s actions led to George Floyd’s death—a pivotal moment that resonated deeply across the globe. Floyd was not the first Black man to die at the hands of white police, but his death sparked an extraordinary response. Perhaps it was because the world was in lockdown, or maybe it was the sheer brutality of the footage that drew attention. Unlike previous instances of police violence, this time, the outcry grew into a worldwide movement. The Black Lives Matter movement surged, and for weeks, people united in solidarity, demanding justice and change.
However, for many Black individuals, Floyd’s death was yet another tragic chapter in a long history of violence. The video of his last moments replayed endlessly, evoking profound sorrow and anger. We witnessed the heart-wrenching moment when he called for his mother, a cry that echoed the pain of countless families. This time, it felt as if the world was finally listening, recognizing our humanity and the urgent need for change.
The streets filled with millions marching for justice, holding signs, and chanting powerful slogans. Yet, as they demanded accountability, they were met with force. In Los Angeles, I rushed to gather supplies as curfews were imposed. Across the nation, protestors advocating for justice were met with police in riot gear, using tear gas and rubber bullets against those simply seeking to be heard. This stark reality highlighted the ongoing struggle against police brutality.
As we fought for justice, the Black community was also grappling with the devastating impact of COVID-19, which disproportionately affected us. Those who took to the streets faced risks from both law enforcement and the pandemic. The masks worn by protestors emblazoned with “Black Lives Matter” took on multifaceted meanings.
With Chauvin’s guilty verdict, we witnessed a police officer finally being held accountable for unjustly taking a Black life. This moment is significant, yet it is not justice for George Floyd. True justice would mean George Floyd was alive today, that he never faced a knee pressed to his neck for nearly ten minutes. It would mean his daughter had her father by her side. This verdict is merely a step towards accountability, not justice itself.
Despite Chauvin’s conviction, the harsh reality remains unchanged. Just days after the verdict, a 20-year-old Black man was killed by an officer who claimed to have mistaken her firearm for a taser. The cycle of violence continues, underscoring the urgent need for systemic change. The officer who killed Daunte Wright was charged—yet this accountability feels like a necessity to quell public outrage rather than a genuine commitment to justice.
George Floyd’s death should not have been the catalyst for this awakening; he is not fundamentally different from Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, or Elijah McClain. The lack of justice for Breonna Taylor’s killers only underscores the ongoing struggle. Floyd is not a martyr who sacrificed himself for awareness; he is a man who would still be alive in a just world.
While I appreciate the jury’s decision, I remain weary. I think of the countless Black lives lost to police violence—Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, and too many others. Their stories matter just as much as George Floyd’s. We must insist on more than mere accountability; we need to dismantle the systems that perpetuate violence against our communities. Black individuals should no longer have to plead for recognition of their humanity.
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In summary, while Chauvin’s guilty verdict marks a moment of accountability, it should not be mistaken for true justice. The fight continues as we seek to dismantle a system that too often fails to protect Black lives.