SBHS Senior Jevaughn Jackson

Jevaughn Jackson is a SBHS senior and was very elated when he heard the news of Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict but feels it’s not enough to heal the generational trauma within the black community.

“Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict was a win but it’s not enough to heal the open wounds that black people have endured over the centuries, meaning we have to fight even harder,” Jackson said.

Jackson was extremely moved by the case considering he was too a black man living in America just as George Floyd.

“This isn’t the first case a white officer got tested on trial for killing an unarmed black person and sadly most likely won’t be the last,” said Jackson.

Jackson feels as if the black community still has a long march towards change and he points out how ironic it is that the same week of the white police officers verdict, a teen black girl was shot by one. 

He is also very firm on the idea that the political community knew they had to convict Chauvin’s truthfully in order to avoid a larger protest. 

“Government officials saw how angry the public was after the cruel murder of George Floyd. They knew that we would go even harder with our protesting if Chauvin’s was not pronounced guilty,” said Jackson.

Jackson says that if there was one thing that was learned from the Derek Chauvin’s case is not to underestimate the power of social media and the BLM movement. 

“When black people are united we are untouchable. George Floyd should be here today but he’s not so his murderer will be convicted,” Jackson said.