The Chauvin Trial: Are We On Our Way to Justice?

EDITORIAL BY EMMA CASTRO MAY 6, 2021

In May 2020, George Floyd was murdered by police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck, suffocating him to death. Floyd’s death sparked an uprising nationwide as people took to social media and the streets to protest against police brutality.  On April 20th, nearly a year after Floyd’s death, Chauvin was found guilty on three counts: second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He will face up to forty years in prison.

President Joe Biden described the verdict as “a giant step forward in the march toward justice.” But is this valid?

In terms of Biden’s statement, Chauvin’s conviction is a step in the right direction.  After hundreds of Black Americans have been killed at the hands of law enforcement and their killers have faced minimal consequences, Chauvin’s conviction is undoubtedly a victory for America. But we must acknowledge that it is only a step. Few things would be more dangerous than ceasing our efforts to advocate for justice and becoming complicit with the status quo. 

The past year has marked a turning point in the modern fight for racial justice. Floyd’s death gave rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, which has gained significant momentum throughout the past year. Widespread efforts against systemic racism are certainly something to be commended, whether they be demonstrations in city streets or individuals’ efforts to educate themselves.

Yet, ultimately, we need to note the patterns here. We must ask ourselves: Why did it take a death as horrific as George Floyd’s to push millions of Americans to fight for racial justice? Why have so many incidents of police brutality wound up unresolved? And, in terms of this trial, had there not been a video of Floyd’s murder, would Chauvin have been convicted? Would he have been tried at all?

After witnessing hundreds of African Americans face the brunt of police brutality with very different outcomes for the perpetrators, we know the answers to these questions.

We should celebrate this momentous occasion, but we must continue the efforts we have begun over the past months to ensure that perpetrators continue to be held accountable for their actions. Through Chauvin's conviction, we can see the effects of our fighting for justice, and it is important that this continues. Accountability should be the norm, not an exception to the pattern of injustice.