The Wake

 I was thinking about this phrase: "In the wake of the Derek Chauvin verdict." It made me think of the meanings of "wake." The initial implied version is the one most likely intended, referring to the waves created by a disturbance in the otherwise smooth surface of a body of water. There have been a lot of voices weighing in on our country's reaction to the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for murder, murder and manslaughter. Degrees have been applied to those convictions, but the fact that they are convictions and not acquittals are significant. Enough that the President and Vice President of the United States both felt compelled to speak to the nation about this moment in history. Referring to George Floyd, the victim of Derek Chauvin's crimes, Joe Biden said, "Nothing can ever bring their brother, their father back, but this can be a giant step forward in the march towards justice in America." Vice President Kamal Harris, the first woman and the first person of color to hold the office, reminded us "Today, we feel a sigh of relief. Still, it cannot take away the pain. A measure of justice is not the same as equal justice." 

Meanwhile, over on Fox News, someone put a microphone in front of Greg Gutfeld. The host of that network's "Really Racist Rants" had this to say: “I am glad that he is guilty of all charges because I want a verdict that keeps this country from going up in flames." To their credit, the rest of the bobbleheads in attendance moaned as he went on: “What do you mean? I’m at least being honest. My neighborhood was looted. I don’t ever want to go through that again.”

Yes Greg. No one should suffer as you have.

Which brings me to the next definition of "wake." As in "woke." There are still plenty of Americans who are sound asleep and intend to stay that way when it comes to race in our country. The idea that the conviction of one police officer for his treatment of a black suspect fixes everything is an insult to all the families who continue to suffer as loved ones are needlessly detained, abused and killed by law enforcement. The very fact that there was relief associated with the conviction of a man caught on numerous video sources killing George Floyd speaks to our current expectations. The National Guard who stood on alert for what many simply assumed would be a night of protest are emblematic of our surrender to our broken judicial system. It should be noted that this decision did not bring Daunte Wright, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks back to life. Or any of the seemingly never-ending list of victims of police brutality.

So we end this sermon with the final meaning of wake: The vigil held for those who have died. For those who have been beaten, battered, and abused. For those who have been singled out for the color of their skin. The waking continues.