Where Justice Is Impossible... Accountability Will Have To Suffice

 

Hi.

So Chauvin was found guilty. The fact that any other conclusion could have possibly been drawn with the mountains of evidence involved is astounding. The fact that there was even the most minute chance of an acquittal is sickening.

After seeing and reading the initial report that was put out by the Minneapolis Police department regarding the death of George Floyd, you know it would have never come to charges let alone a trial, and absolutely not a conviction, if it hadn't been for a seventeen-year-old girl having the presence of mind to film the whole thing. She sacrificed her innocence and suffered the trauma of witnessing a torturous 9:29. A 91/2 minute murder in slow motion. 

Her willingness to become involved, to sacrifice, is the only thing that made accountability possible. Justice can't exist for murder. But, where justice is impossible, accountability will have to suffice. Without her, this would have been a "medical incident wherein the person in custody passed away."

Chauvin would still be a corrupt cop free to do horrible things to people whenever the mood struck him.

Just like so many others.

Too many have died at the hands of so-called law enforcement. Too many without witnesses. Too many to count. 

How many police reports read like the initial one concerning Mr. Floyd? How many are filed, holding so little truth they don't carry any resemblance to what actually happened? 

How many "officers" filled and filed these reports without the slightest guilt? Without remorse? Thinking they are untouchable, above the law, above consequence.

The truth is heavy. Heavy enough to break the backs of those who are burdened with it and choose not to set it free. Heavy enough to eventually crush the souls of those who try to deny it, or hide it, or change it. 

The blue wall of protection needs to crumble. Slammed by a wrecking ball of courage. If only those who seem so proud to wear the badge, the pepper spray, the baton, the taser, and the gun could summon the courage of a seventeen-year-old girl. She is who they should aspire to be. 

It takes all of 26 weeks to train to become a member of the RCMP.

Going through an American police Academy takes, on average 13 to 19 weeks.

These are people who show up at situations where life and death decisions need to be made at the speed of light. These are people who show up to situations that they are woefully underqualified to evaluate. These are people who show up, panic, and make horrible, life-changing decisions. These are people who show up every day and choose to do the wrong thing just because they can. These are people who suffer consequences so rarely, they have come to believe they are above them.

What happened to character? What happened to integrity? 

I thought the uniform was supposed to mean something. Stand for something. 

I'm sure it does for some. I have no doubt that there are good constables, officers, and troopers, but I can't help but wonder how many of them are carrying around a truth that feels heavier by the day? How many may not have done the thing, but saw it happen, heard it happen, or heard about it happening and say nothing? How many can't, or refuse to, summon the courage of a seventeen-year-old girl? 

So what needs to happen?

What are the solutions?

What are the answers?

There is no, one big thing. No single fix to perceived superiority. It will take a million different things to level the field. So much will need to change for real equality to have a chance.

Change can't begin without uncomfortable conversations, without honest reflection, without a collective passion to make it happen.

I can't believe it's impossible. I believe most of us want it to happen. Real equality for all, regardless of gender, sex, abilities, orientation, race, or religion. Not just words written at the feet of centuries' old monuments, but real, actual equality.

I don't know about you, but I want my grandkids to grow into a world where each of them has an equal chance to thrive. 

A world they can walk without fear.

A world where, for each and every single one of them, not even the sky is the limit. 

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Until next time...

May we get to a place where the delusion of superiority is dissipated, stench in a heavy wind.

May we do better, have the courage to not look away, see the knee on the neck, watch how he is pinned.

May we then be brave enough to speak of what we saw, scream it, then do what needs to be done.

May we be brave enough to stand up, call it by name, for the fight is long from over, as it has only just begun. 

May we accept that justice won't always be the outcome, but that by no means lay down, or play nice.

May we see that sometimes, where justice is impossible, accountability will simply have to suffice.

May we, as a collective, be reflective, get perspective, try on and walk some miles in another's shoes.

May we as a collective, do everything, do all of it, success is the only option, there is simply too much to lose. 

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