Yesterday, Derek Chauvin was convicted on all counts in the murder of George Floyd. This verdict is a welcome, very public, progressive step in confronting anti-Black police violence. At the same time, we must continue to listen to Black people and communities that have been loud and clear that justice has not, and will not, be achieved so long as police violence against Black communities continues as it does today across the globe and here in our city and province.  It is also important to be mindful of the diverse ways our Black friends and colleagues may experience this verdict, and to provide space and take the lead from them in relation to how they may choose to discuss (or choose not to discuss) this news.

The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on BIPOC communities is a daily reminder of the mountain of anti-racism justice work ahead of us all.

This is also a time to challenge ourselves to look inwards at our responsibilities to act in solidarity with Black people and communities. We should ask ourselves what this verdict reveals about anti-Black police violence, what it may mean for those most intimately impacted by it, and what our personal and organizational responsibilities are to participate in dismantling it. This is not just the work of Black people and colleagues; it is our load to share.