Today, we will talk about the man behind George Floyd’s death, Derek Chauvin.
Recently, the former police officer received his sentence for second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The verdict is 22 and a half years in jail.
Many people would argue that 22 and a half years is an extremely long amount of time, given that the state of Minneapolis would suggest 12 and a half years to someone with no former criminal record. This sentence was, in fact, the longest one the state has ever imposed. Furthermore, Chauvin has been registered as a predatory offender and is banned from owning any type of firearms. Even receiving ten years more than suggested with no criminal record, his white privilege still had played a factor.
Why is this sentence unjust?
This sentence is nowhere near serving justice or providing peace of mind to George Floyd’s family. The most he could have gotten was around 40 years, yet they decided to meet in the middle. Currently, there are Black men serving life sentences in jail for drug possession. Chauvin took a man’s life. He kneeled on Floyd's neck as he cried out for help for 9 minutes and a half, and still did not get up. Chauvin later on only received 22 and a half years. He could even receive parole after 15 years, under the condition of good behaviour.
Even though Chauvin will be serving a jail sentence, he still ended up with less than he should have. The fact that a blatant racist can end someone's life and still win somehow is astonishing. The racism embedded in our government systems needs to be dismantled. This goes hand-in-hand with the recent bill passed to ban critical race theory in U.S schools. BIPOC people should be able to go out on the street and not have to worry about being killed for simply being around people of authority. Derek Chauvin’s sentencing was not justice. It was simply accountability for his actions.
"Saying the protector and the killer is wearing the same uniform." -R&B singer, H.E.R
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