Statement on George Floyd verdict



The Black Caucus of Health Workers (BCHW) EXHALED after hearing the guilty verdict on all three counts for Derek Chauvin. If ever charged, police officers are only found guilty in 1 out of 2000 cases when accused of a crime. We are pleased that the outcome of this trial provided a sense of long overdue relief. We send our thoughts and prayers to George Floyd’s family for allowing us to protest, demonstrate, fight, advocate and pray alongside them in our respective communities. Our work continues. 

There are three more Minneapolis police officers who will stand trial later this year and we still fight and advocate for justice for those killed by police or former law enforcement - Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, and many others, including the latest, Ma’Khia Bryant, 16, shot yesterday in Columbus OH as the world awaited the verdict.

As public health professionals of African descent, we know the damage our collective feelings of anxiousness, despair, and even anger can have on our mental and physical health. I would encourage us to be strategic instead of angry and remain resilient and unapologetic about who WE are as a race, as BLACK people. 

Let’s talk. We cannot afford to rest or let up. People are dying senselessly; both quality of life and longevity are being taken away without a thought.  What can we do as a caucus? How can we support each other? How can we address the racialized trauma that impacts our communities? Can we write letters to Congress? Contact our respective representatives? Advance actionable policies through APHA?

We must be part of the solution or if nothing else, work diligently to move the conversation forward. Talk to us…

 

Humbly submitted,

Dana

Dana Reed Wise, President

Black Caucus of Health Workers