Can You really Celebrate a Tragedy? Derek Chauvin trial charges

via reuters

Today, the world heard the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial.

In May 2020, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was caught on camera murdering George Floyd, a Black man with his knee on Floyd’s neck.

Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges on Thursday, April 20th. While voices around the world released breaths of relief, what cannot be denied amongst Black Americans is that with our win, we’re also suffering such a tragic loss.

The fact that it took a video recording.

The fact that it took a 4 week trial.

The fact that it took 10 hours of deliberation.

The fact that it took the death of any person in the first place is the real verdict.

The verdict that justice may only be served at the continued expense of Black bodies and Black torture.

via KTTC

This verdict cannot be our final farewell to Floyd’s legacy.

This cannot be the only way we honor and remember him.

We must remember George Floyd for Daunte Wright.

We must remember George Floyd for Adam Toledo.

We must remember George Floyd for Cariol Horne.

We must remember George Floyd for Breonna Taylor.

So yes. Let’s celebrate, because the Floyd family and the Black Lives Matter movement needed this win. They deserved this win. Justice was served. But let’s not forget, that while we’re celebrating justice, some of us are simultaneously celebrating a tragedy.