After the Verdict, What’s Next?

Crowds gathered outside the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, waiting to hear the verdict on the case that had former police officer Derek Chauvin on trial for the murder of George Floyd. The expectation from sympathizers of George Floyd, especially Black people, is for justice to be done to what is known to have been a racially motivated murder, one of the many that have happened in the US.

And the verdict was made! Derek Chauvin was found guilty on three count charges! There was jubilation and the sounds of victory echoed within communities of Black people. Finally, some say, there is a sigh of relief.

Actually, there is no relief yet! While the verdict is a milestone win in the fight against police racism, we must not forget that there are almost uncountable cases of police brutality and racism against Black people in the US and in the UK. There are 420 names on the list of police brutality in Minnesota alone. What happened to those? Few officers are charged with manslaughter or murder, and fewer still are convicted. Sometimes, justice for one doesn’t apply to justice for all. We want justice for all! The 22 April is recognized as Stephen Lawrence day, a day we hope will pave the way for a greater understanding of discrimination of all forms and new equalities legislation.

At this point in time, all we have to do to get the system reformed and to expunge institutionalized racism is to continue to demand for the reform until it is made and to give collective support for justice when a Black person has been wronged because of the color of their skin.

We must continue to boldly stand up and speak out for racism and act against the ills stemming out of it wherever they manifest themselves. Whether it is at the workplace, at school, on the street, in the grocery store, or within government, we must refuse to allow this evil to be pampered.

Those of us within the corridors of power, whether political, economic or religious, must use these privileges as leverages to support the cause. We also have to intensify the use of the media to drive this ideal of equality amongst all people. We should not forget that we can subtly programme the minds of those protecting the system into seeing beyond any shadow of doubt that they have been in the wrong.

Written by Adese Okojie

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