Guilty on all three counts. That was the sentence heard across America, as former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter of George Floyd.
What are we to make of this trial and the events and comments surrounding it? The answer to that question depends on who we ask.
To many Black Americans, this was a watershed moment.
Dr. Micahel Brown | Opinion
First, for them, the gut-wrenching video of Floyd’s death while under Chauvin’s knee was undeniable testimony to the police brutality many believe they have experienced. In their eyes, there is no question that Chauvin would not have treated a white man in this way, and there is no question of his guilt. This, they would say, is what they have experienced for decades (let alone centuries), and this is indisputable video evidence.
Second, for Blacks, the guilty verdicts prove that the police are not immune from justice, get away with murder, specifically, with the murder of a black man.
To many conservatives, George Floyd’s tragic death had nothing to do with race.
READ: Chauvin found guilty
First, they would say that we don’t know for sure that Chauvin’s treatment of Floyd was race-based. Perhaps he mistreated whites as well? Or perhaps it was based on Chauvin and Floyd knowing each other outside of this confrontation, which they did.
Second, they would argue that statistically, it is more likely for a white person to be killed by police than a black person. They would also point out that it is more likely for a black cop to pull the trigger on a black suspect than for a white cop to pull the trigger on a black suspect. That’s all true.
For liberal Americans, this is the moment to refocus on the question of what they’ve labeled “systemic racism.” In the words of President Biden, “It was a murder in the full light of day, and it ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see the systemic racism … a stain on our nation’s soul.”
Conservatives would respond, “Actually, we don’t know that this had anything to do with racism, let alone with ‘systemic racism.’”
Many would also add, “To the contrary, this is an example of race-baiters like Rep. Maxine Waters potentially inciting violence with her irresponsible and dangerous comments. That’s where the problem lies.”
For Hollywood’s elite, like Oprah, the guilty verdicts were cause for rejoicing: “Relieved—and emotional in ways I didn’t expect. I cried tears of joy as each verdict was read. I’m grateful to the witnesses and their testimonies. Grateful to Darnella Frazier. Grateful to every Juror for seeing and acknowledging what the world saw on that tape. Thank you God for real! #GeorgeFloyd,” she tweeted.
For law and order citizens – both Black and white – the lessons are clear. Number one, don’t commit a crime. Number two, don’t resist arrest. Number three, don’t expect a fair trial when government leaders are calling for violence, when protesters are ready to burn down cities, and when the judge doesn’t sequester the jury.
And so it goes, there is little constructive interaction between the varying sides and perspectives. So, at the risk of provoking fire from all sides, I’ll weigh in with some perspectives representing several different viewpoints.
First, after years of regular interaction with the black American community, I have no reason to question the horror stories they have related to me. For example, when a black pastor calls my show – I’m talking about a God-fearing, law-abiding conservative who agrees with me point for point on the culture wars – and tells me about how he had to lecture his teenage boys about behavior around police, lest they be shot, I believe him, especially when his story is one of many that I have heard.
In fact, shortly after the Chauvin verdict was announced, I was talking to a 41-year-old black man, and he told me about an absolutely traumatic experience he had with the police when he was 21, with a gun stuck in his face, fearing for his life. Yet no reason was given to him for being stopped. He said that to this day, when he sees a police car in his rearview mirror, he breaks into a cold sweat.
And having studied the issue of fair sentencing in America, I do believe that inequalities remain for Black Americans and that we must continue to strive for justice. President Trump began the process.
Second, there are other more difficult questions that must be asked as well, including by the Black community. Questions like what is behind the high crime rate among young Black men, which makes them more likely targets for profiling? Who is to blame for this, and what can be done, holistically, to repair this? This is not an accusation. It is a question.
Third, race baiting is very real and very destructive. Really now, is this how America is supposed to function, with protesters ready to vandalize our communities if an unfavorable verdict is reached?
Fourth, I believe that we must address all sides of the race issue in America, also asking uncomfortable questions such as: why has fatherlessness in Black American homes reached an epidemic level, and why it is much worse today than it was before the Civil Rights movement? Again, I am not implying white guilt here or black guilt. I am simply saying we must ask these questions.
Fifth, we need to find out a why some police officers behave as they do. Is it because their lives are so often threatened? Is it because of deficient training? Or is it because they are power-hungry (and/or racists)?
The bottom line is that there is not one, single, correct perspective on the death of George Floyd and the conviction of Derek Chauvin. To simply pontificate in the safety of our own echo chamber is to accept the status quo.
I say, in keeping with my past policy, that we should all make each other a little uncomfortable, with conservatives asking liberals for their perspective (and vice versa) and with whites asking people of color for their perspective (and vice versa). Then, having listened and reflected, we can form a more balanced and point of view.
We might end up more convinced than ever that our perspective is the right one. But at least, let’s challenge ourselves to listen and think and empathize first. On both sides.
–By Dr. Michael Brown | host of “That’s Debatable with Dr. Brown.” Airing this month on the AWKNG TV network.