One Small Step for Justice… A Giant Relief for Humankind

“It’s been a long, long time coming, but I know a change gonna come.”  Sam Cooke

George Floyd’s life cannot be given back to him.  Neither can the lives of the many other Black men and women who’ve lost their lives due to the effects of hundreds of years of systemic racism.

As I sat waiting to hear the decision of the jury, my mind was transported back to April 29, 1992 as I waited to hear the Rodney King verdict.  Sadly, I found myself experiencing similar feelings of anxiety, anger, uncertainty, and a complete lack of faith in the system.  Yesterday, as I heard each guilty count, I was flooded with a depth of emotion that overwhelmed me.  It was relief, literally like a weight had been lifted, mixed with feelings of joy and a glimmer of hope.

The jury got this one right.  The verdict offers some hope that our country is moving in the right direction.

But, it doesn’t stop here.  There’s still so much more to be done to disrupt and break the chains of systemic racism.  Chicago Debates remains committed to our core value of Justice and will continue working to combat the systemic inequities that exist in the world.

• Let this verdict, a small step for justice and giant relief for humankind, be a reminder to our students that change is not just possible, it is necessary.
• Let this verdict be a reminder to our students that they can change the policies and systems that govern our world to make it a better place.
• Let this verdict be another catalyst for our students to use their voices to fight against injustice and demand change and accountability.
• Let this verdict be the ultimate reminder that George Floyd was a man. A human being who was loved and valued and his life mattered.

Relieved,

Dr. Toinette Gunn

Executive Director