Politics
It's official, guys. Derek Chauvin, the ex-officer who was at the center of the murder of George Floyd, has now been convicted of the crime. To say this is an interesting turn of events is an understatement, but I'm guessing that watching a video of him kneeling on his neck for almost ten minutes, was hard to deny. In fact, Chauvin was found guilty on all counts, a verdict that could send the disgraced former Minneapolis police officer to prison for the rest of his life.
Welp.
The 12 jurors didn't want to hear the defense's claim that there might have been other medical reasons that Floyd died, saying Chauvin killed him, even if unintentionally. And although you and I know that this shouldn't even be a question, it's pretty understood that that damn justice system rarely works in our favor. The fact that the word "nervous" was trending on Twitter prior to the verdict announcement, basically tells you everything you need to know.
But then it happened. It actually happened.
Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. "The selected jury finds you guilty, Derek Chauvin."
The inner child in me wept for the years of blatant disregard for Black life, while the outer gangster in me was relieved that I could, for once, not feel the sting of inequity.
"Today, we are able to breathe again," Floyd's brother Philonise Floyd said afterward. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whose office oversaw Chauvin's prosecution, chimed in as well, saying:
"I would not call today's verdict justice, however, because justice implies true restoration. But it is accountability, which is the first step toward justice."
But now what? What's next?
Stay on the gas.
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A major component to the outcome of this trial was the teamwork of millennials, partnered with the fearlessness of Gen-Z in Minnesota. If anything, these two generations in Minnesota is who this victory is owed to. They proved to the entire country that that quiet cousin that never says much, has those hands, and they aren't afraid to swing during the casualties of war to have their voice heard. Minnesota was like, "Peaceful protesting? Tuh. Burn dis bih down." And it was done on a scale that many of us had never experienced, or seen, before. And let's be real, had it not happened, Derek Chauvin would just be another cop who walked free, just as the previous 15K+ officers involved in a police killing have.
They hit the pavement, they demanded justice and let it be very known that anything less, would have consequences. A tone was set. It was beautiful.
But this can't be done each time. Now, it's time to work smarter.
So, identify the 'Stacey Abrams' in your city.
The 2020 election didn't go the way that many racists wanted it to, and we owe that all to a Black woman (of course). Stacey Abrams is a master in chess, outplaying her opponents at their own game. She, like Minnesota, had a few hands herself, as she defeated America with their rules. She empowered Black people to use their voice so powerfully, that these white folk are out here labeling legal and accurate votes as fraud. She has won multiple awards, has been hailed a hero, and praised for her work.
But guess what? There's a Stacey Abrams in every city. And so many go unnoticed. Identify yours. Let it be heard who they are. Listen to them. Support them. Or if you don't know where to start, get involved with Fair Fight Action.
Stay on the gas.
Pass The 'George Floyd Justice In Policing' Act
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in a 220-212 vote. It was introduced by the badass, Karen Bass (a woman that you need to know) and former chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.
The reintroduced bill would: prohibit profiling based on race and religion and mandate training on profiling; ban chokeholds, carotid holds and no-knock warrants; require the use of federal funds to ensure use of body cameras; establish a National Police Misconduct Registry; amend the prosecution standard for police from "willfulness" to "recklessness" and reform qualified immunity; and require stronger data reporting on police use of force.
Officers who do not comply to these measures, will be held accountable. Which is imperative to reform.
Call 202-499-6085 and tell them you're in favor of the bill.
Invest in YOUR community.
GiphySupporting your community looks different to many people. To some it could be supporting a Black business online and spending your dollars there. But the way to have true change, is to start in your community. Know your elected officials in your neighborhood. Get to know patrolling officers, know who you're dealing with. Pick up trash you may see in your area. Find out what events take place near you and support them. Visit local small businesses in your neighborhood. Spend money in your community. Don't see enough trash cans or think that a traffic light could go at that intersection? Demand these things.
It starts at home. Focus there, first and everything else will fall into place.
Last but not least, practice self-care.
Guys, we have to decompress. We have to take a step back, sometimes. We won this battle, but in order to truly win, we have to take care of self. We're are setting our sights on Daunte Wright's death, who needs our support, and moments after the Derek Chauvin verdict was announced, 16-year old Ma'khia Bryant was murdered by an officer.
Too much information is readily available at our fingertips, which takes a toll. PTSD is real, and we all suffer just because we exist in the times.
Take the time to shut the phone off. Find a new hobby. Master that thing you've been practicing, or unwind with friends. You cannot take care of anything if you don't take care of you.
And we need you.
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Featured image by Giphy
Vice President Kamala Harris has made history as the first woman of color to hold the office, taking a powerful seat in the White House. We're all more than here for it. We're ecstatic and super proud! Not only is she of Indian and Jamaican descent, she's also a proud graduate of a historically black university (Howard) and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (skee-wee, sis, skee-wee).
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As a new administration begins their first acts of change, let's take a look at other black women in the White House set to make major moves during President Joe Biden's term:
1.Symone D. Sanders, Senior Adviser and Chief Spokeswoman
At 25, Symone Sanders became the youngest presidential press secretary on record when she worked on U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign. She has also served as a senior adviser for former Vice President Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign. She's also a business phenom who provides strategic communications consulting as principal of the 360 Group L.L.C. In her current role, she will be a key figure in communicating the policies and updates from the White House, working closely with Vice President Harris.
2.Ashley Etienne, Communications Director
Ashley Etienne has more than 15 years of experience working in brand development, crisis communications and social activation, and she's served as an adviser to former President Barack Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She's also consulted Fortune 500 executives, and helmed successful campaigns that featured top entertainers, athletes and public service icons. She has a pivotal role in cultivating and implementing the Biden's administration's communications and outreach strategies.
3.Karine Jean-Pierre, Deputy Press Secretary
Karine Jean-Pierre has served as the chief public affairs officer for MoveOn.org, and she's a longstanding force in political analysis, having been featured on NBC and MSNBC. Her experience spans more than a decade, ranging from activism to strategy for presidential campaigns including President Obama's 2012 re-election. While he was in office, she was the regional political director for the White House Office of Political Affairs. She's also enjoyed a successful career as a Columbia University professor. In her current role, she will be one of the key professionals at the forefront of White House communications on issues.
4.Cecilia Rouse, Chair, Council of Economic Advisers
An esteemed economist, Cecilia Rouse will be the first Black chair of the Council of Economic Advisers if confirmed. Rouse has served as dean of Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs and as the Lawrence and Shirley Katzman and Lewis and Anna Ernst Professor in the Economics of Education. She's done landmark research on labor markets, education, and discrimination and will be tackling the current issues of unemployment and financial strategy for the administration.
5.Marcia Fudge, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Marcia Fudge has more than 20 years of public service under her belt and has most recently served as the U.S. Representative for Ohio's 11th congressional district since 2008. If confirmed for the White House post, she will be the first woman to lead HUD in more than 40 years, and the second Black woman in history to hold the position. She has recently pushed for resources like rental assistance and more affordable housing, especially as many continue to face the challenges caused by COVID.
6.Ashley Williams, Special Assistant and Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations
Ashley Williams has been the trip director during the Biden-Harris transition, and she became the first Black woman to hold the role for a successful presidential candidate. Previously she's worked as an adviser in the State Department, focusing on global women's issues. She's also been First Lady Jill Biden's senior assistant during the Obama administration. Now, she will be leading the management of scheduling, private engagement and day-to-day activities.
7.Joelle Gamble, Special Assistant, Economic Policy
Joelle Gamble has worked in public policy, serving as a principle at Omidyar Network, a social change firm, and she's been senior adviser to the president and CEO and a national director at the Roosevelt Institute. In Biden's administration, she will be part of the National Economic Council, which works to coordinate the economic policy-making process and assist in creating and implementing Biden's economic vision.
8.Brenda Mallory, Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality
Brenda Mallory is an environmental lawyer who worked in the Obama administration and has served as general counsel for the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). A public service veteran, she's also served as director of regulatory policy at the Southern Environmental Law Center, a litigation and advocacy group. If confirmed for Biden's cabinet, she will be the first Black professional to lead the CEQ and will play a vital role in creating federal environmental policy.
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