This week’s guilty verdict against ex-cop Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis has fueled the anti-racism movement in the United States. Miriam Groß is a pastor in New York and, as a police chaplain, fights for the dignity of every human being.
DOMRADIO.DE: How do you feel after last week’s verdict?
Miriam Groß (Protestant pastor in New York, former pastor of the New York Police Department): On the one hand, it is a great relief that occurs, which I could also feel very deeply through the many messages from my American friends and also a sigh of relief that is now taking place. Because with this judgment a historical turning point has also come from my point of view.
DOMRADIO.DE: What does the conviction of the white policeman mean in legal terms?
Large: The most serious charge against Chauvin was second degree murder without intent. It says up to 40 years in prison in Minnesota, where he is sentenced. And then Chauvin was also accused of third degree murder, which can be punished with up to 25 years in prison. And on top of that, he also had to answer for second-degree manslaughter. There is ten years imprisonment on it. As a result, the exact amount of the sentence has not yet been determined, but he will face a long imprisonment.
DOMRADIO.DE: You called it a turning point in history. What kind of a sign is this judgment setting?
Large: When we look at the United States, we see a long and difficult history of racism that began in Jamestown, Virginia, in August 1619, with the official beginning of slavery. And this runs through the history of this diverse country up to the present day. And you can feel it on all levels: a racism that is sometimes latent, sometimes hidden. And with this judgment a big sign is set that one is taking action against it and that something like this is not allowed.
DOMRADIO.DE: Is action being taken against racism and police violence in the USA now?
Large: That is my very big hope. I was part of this demonstration for justice myself. I went there. I cheered and tried to take a stand against racism. After all, racism is ultimately a violation of the commandment to love one’s neighbor and to be in the image of God. And at the same time, I got involved with the New York City Police Department, the NYPD, and accompanied police officers there, some of whom are also trying to bring this struggle, that is, this fight, to a good end.
DOMRADIO.DE: Let’s look at the police officers who accompanied you there. How do you rate their responsibility?
Large: The responsibility of the police officers in the New York Police Department and beyond in all regions where people work in the police force is insane. If you look at the NYPD, it is as colorful and diverse as this wonderful city is. And there are police officers who have sensed the history and also the violations of racism themselves, experienced them in their families, and who are therefore committed to making things better, so that something changes. And that was beneficial and exciting for me to be able to accompany these people who had dark skin. On the one hand, they also told me about their family and the broken past of the United States, and at the same time they suffered from the amount of police violence that took place. They themselves also had to feel this anger that people spat in their faces, that they were sometimes physically attacked for taking on this responsible position. It was an insane inner turmoil for these people. Because in the uniform there is always a valuable person who tries to change something and who tries to stand up for justice.
DOMRADIO.DE: What do you wish for what follows?
Large: I hope that we will become open and put the subject of being in the image of God at the center of our reflections and, above all, of our actions. That we see the face of God in the other, that we discover dignity and worth in him and love our neighbor as ourselves. I believe and hope that this will become more and more clearly visible. And on virulent topics like racism, we have to learn that no matter how different we may be, what skin color or pigmentation we wear, what country we come from or what financial capacity we may have, that we are all worthy and worthy.
The interview was conducted by Katharina Geiger.
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