A Time For Healing [OPINION]

The American justice system is not perfect. It is the best there is anywhere in the world, but it isn't perfect.

When the system works, it works well. Justice was delivered in a Minneapolis courtroom on Tuesday afternoon when former cop Derek Chauvin was convicted of all of the charges against him in the murder of George Floyd last May.

George Floyd is no martyr. He should not be idolized or placed on a pedestal of any kind. He was a troubled man with a storied history with the police. But he should not have died the way he did. George Floyd should still be alive today.

A nation already divided along racial lines by politicians and corrupt media watched in horror as Chauvin killed Floyd last year. Floyd's death was captured on cell phone video for the whole world to see.

And the whole world was watching. And it reacted.

Many Americans, convinced there would never be justice for Floyd's death, took to the streets. They looted, burned, and battled with the police. Many lost hope in the justice system. They lost hope in America.

The system works when given a chance, and it worked on Tuesday. George Floyd got justice. But along the way, faith in the justice system was tested and stressed. In the end, justice prevailed. I don't know why Derek Chauvin behaved the way that he did. Perhaps his faith in the system was tested and stressed as well.

In the end, a nation divided must learn to heal. It's time to move on.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.