A Public Lynching

Everyone has an opinion about the outcome of the Derek Chauvin trial. Most tend to be strongly for or against, but my take is mixed. I know trying to address both sides of a controversial issue generally leads to condemnation from both sides. I find George Floyd an unlikely hero and would not want him to be a role model for anyone, least of all young intercity black youth. On the other end, I think having a knee on the neck of a handcuffed man for over nine minutes is excessive.

Derek Chauvin was dispatched to arrest George Floyd because he was attempting to make a purchase with counterfeit money. It was a crime in progress. Mr. Floyd had a long history of minor crimes and drug abuse. He was high on Methamphetamines and uncooperative with the police. The arrest of a black man by a white police officer drew a hostile crowd in the mostly black neighborhood. When Mr. Floyd refused to get in the police car, the officer called for assistance and held Floyd to the ground for over nine minutes until the transport vehicle arrived. During that time, Mr. Floyd died. Neither Mr. Floyd’s history of drug abuse and criminal activity nor his suspected attempt to launder counterfeit money were deserving of the death penalty. Derek Chauvin’s actions were probably excessive, but not deserving of a murder conviction. Both Officer Chauvin and Mr. Floyd were wrong, but their fates were determined by others.

George Floyd was uncooperative because he was taught to be afraid of the police. A few months ago, following the Spokane riot, KHQ TV viewed a town meeting with the Chief of Police and several members of the “Black Community”. One of the members of the panel explained that black youths are taught to be afraid of the police. Think about that for a minute. Floyd panicked because he had been taught to panic. The next time the news reports an arrest of a black suspect that gets out of hand, ask yourself if the suspect panicked because they had been taught the police were monsters. I blame black leaders for that. Those who taught George Floyd to be afraid are partly responsible for his death. As I said earlier, I think Officer Chauvin’s actions were excessive but not warranting a murder conviction. The crowd had been taught the police were the enemy; and were, therefor, hostile. Those who tell black youth that police are the enemy were also partly responsible for the hostile environment that led to George Floyds death.

Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in a lawful trial by jury, but no one can actually believe it was a fair trial. Derek was lynched just as surely as the KKK held impromptu trials and lynched blacks in the deep south a hundred years ago. The KKK could get away with it because they held the reins of power. The reins of power have changed until many in our society, including government, are afraid to speak out about injustice by black citizens. The city of Minneapolis settled the Floyd family’s lawsuit while the trial was in progress. The City apologized for Derek Chauvin actions, paid the family millions of dollars and agreed to build a George Floyd monument. The jury watched the news broadcast along with the rest of America. Politicians from the President down to local officials cheered when Derek Chauvin was charged with murder. The jury watched as Officer Chauvin was condemned by state and local governments across the nation. The national news made no pretense of neutrality. The media continues to attack Chauvin and police across the nation. Last but not least, Representative Maxine Waters threatened America with widespread riots. She urged blacks to take to the streets an be “confrontational” if the verdict was not what she predetermined it should be.

The jury was tainted. They had access to the news right up until the end of the trail. I am sure some members of the jury were willing to accept the verdict suggested by our national and local leaders. Some surely were concerned about the potential of nation-wide riots. I wonder if some members of the jury were concerned about their personal safety should they return a verdict contrary to the desires of a confrontational public? George Floyd didn’t deserve to die. I don’t know if Derek Chauvin deserved to be lynched, but he was.

Frank Watson is a retired Air Force Colonel and long-time resident of Eastern Washington. He has been a free-lance columnist for over 20 years.