By Andy Leheny
A small diverse group of persons, including a nine-year-old girl, witness a miscarriage of Justice. No, it is more than that. They are witness to a failure of empathy, one which is endangering a man’s life. It is terrifying to them, even to the child, that then Officer Derek Chauvin, with his knee securely on George Floyd’s neck, is dangerously near to draining all life from Mr. Floyd.
These few cannot help themselves. Their voices are urgent, telling Officer Chauvin to get off Mr. Floyd. To let him breath! But Chauvin, nor any of the officers with him, seem to understand what is so obvious. Why don’t Floyd’s pleadings to breathe, his calling to “momma” in these moments of terror, cause Chauvin to stop choking off his ability to breath? Why is there no compassion within these police officers to comprehend the evil their complicity permits? How can this be happening? Why does there not exist any appreciable understanding shown by these protectors of the public that the danger of the passing of an alleged $20 bill has resulted in their life-threatening treatment of George Floyd?
An African-American youth “may” have shoplifted and is shot six times by a police officer. A 12-year-old child, whose skin is not white, plays with a toy gun in a neighborhood park. The police are called. As an officer leaves his patrol car, he shoots and kills the child. In another city police decide to arrest an African-American man for selling a loose cigarette for $1. Over a $1 “crime” police decide to put this person of color in a chokehold. And, as we see again, and again, and again, persons of color continue to die, their lives devalued as injustices continue.
As I watch the trial of Officer Chauvin, his defense attorney tries to distort reality. The small crowd seeking to save Floyd is described by the attorney as a “mob”, whose behavior limited the ability of Chauvin and the other officers to help Floyd. But there is video evidence. There is first hand witness accounts. The claims of Chauvin’s defense is baseless. Perhaps more importantly police officials refuse to stand behind the psychological “blue wall.” They condemn the actions of Derek Chauvin as counter to what police ethics and morality should be.
There has been so much injustice in our nation. The trial of Derek Chauvin seems committed to the pursuit of true justice, seeking to find an American rarity, a verdict untainted by centuries of racism.
I think of the blindfolded statue of Lady Justice. It is time. Long past time. For Equal Justice for All.
The Focus 