Dear Derek Chauvin,
In only 9 minutes you went from an unknown Minnesota police officer to an infamous world villain. You went from protect and serve to harm and neglect. In only 9 minutes, you took the life of another human being, changing your life for the worst.
Currently you are in jail for the murder of George Floyd. I watched as you killed another human being. I watched as you showed little remorse, making excuses for yourself. I watched you refuse to take the stand while people spoke on your behalf. I listened to phrases like, “Chauvin’s knee was not the cause of death”. I wanted to throw something at the TV, naively thinking the results of this trial would increase my faith in humanity or change my perspective in some sort of undeniable way. But it didn’t. Hearing the verdict did put a smile on my face, I won’t lie to you. Getting it right this one time isn’t enough.
You know more than any of us that police officers rarely get held accountable in our current legal system. You have experienced it first-hand. As a country, we got it right this time. I doubt we would have if it weren’t for camera phones or the fact that your actions started a whole movement. It’s ironic really that a racist police officer like you, whose actions were meant to harm a person of color, ended up spreading awareness. An awareness that started a movement in favor of the people you wish to harm. An awareness that landed you in jail. An awareness of privilege.
Privilege. A triggering word for many people. I would bet anything it would be triggering for you. It must be nice being the man behind the gun. It must be nice living without fear. It must be relaxing not being held accountable for your actions. I have no reason to be afraid of cops because I am a middle-class, white, female. I am grateful for this, but I feel guilty. I wish I could have changed Mr. Floyd’s fate. It wasn’t up to me though. It was up to you.
I feel your privilege as I read the news articles about how you will likely receive less time than you deserve for being charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. I wonder if you feel your privilege too. I hope you learned something, but I won’t hold my breath.
You turned 9 minutes into a minimum sentence of 40 years. I hope you use that time wisely. I hope you reflect.
From a white person who hopes to be nothing like you,
RSL
