Chauvin and the System
By: Gary Dion
Tags: Systems Thinking, Derek Chauvin, Education, Justice, Critical Thinking

The Chauvin murder case ended with the much-needed verdict. There is absolutely no doubt that Derek Chauvin was guilty of all charges.

But it should be understood that he and others like him are also victims of our country’s system.

This does not excuse their actions and they still must be held accountable.

But something is terribly wrong with a system that continues to create people that have

· Little to no empathy for others, especially certain types of others.

· Limited and narrow understanding of the world around them.

· The need to exert abusive power at the often-deadly expense of others.

· And to be sure, the inability to critically think and reason.

+ + +

What is The System?

The U.S. capitalist “free enterprise” system? The political and method of government representation systems? The socioeconomic system? The justice system? Education system? Health and welfare system?

YES, all of those (and more) intertwined. But in many ways, one could reasonably say it all is very much driven by the capitalist/socioeconomic, and political/government systems. And centers on an enduring process in this country (and world) that enables small numbers in control to wrest absurdly large profits from the labor and at the expense of the vast majority.

And unfortunately, “our” system spits out ignorant, dangerous and abusive bullies like Chauvin. KKK and white supremacists, and self-serving politicians, powerful and greedy capitalists and corporate heads, and corrupt government leaders. After so many hundreds of years, it’s reasonable to conclude – that’s how the system is designed.

As well, it’s a system that generates a spectacle of the oppressors and the oppressed, an ongoing video narrative of the awfulness of it all – to distract us from those really in control.

+ + +

Enduring Systemic Change is Needed!

Our system has ensured large scale inequities – terribly impacting life, justice, and the pursuit of happiness for millions upon millions of minority (and even non-minority) people since before this country’s inception.

We must look at root causes and effects. Who are most enabled by the system as well as those who enable the system? Who are ALL of those who are severely impacted?

And how the system operates – all parts of it coming together – socioeconomic, political/government, justice, education, etc. One part of the system does not exist in isolation just as one group or demographic in our society does not live in isolation.

Positive systemic change does not happen quickly in one revolutionary event. History proves that. It must come in steps, founded in education. Real education where increasing numbers of us across all demographics learn how to learn, learn how to understand the people and world around us, learn how to think critically about our lives and about the systems which so influence our lives.

As we learn we become better thinkers, better change makers, and ultimately higher performing collaborative partners in enduring systemic change. And as we do this educating and change, we can begin replacing abuse and oppression with supportive care and policy. We can begin building. Building of a new enabling system and society for us all!

+ + +

The Key: Excellent, Equitable and Inclusive Education

The Call to Action: Educate ourselves, our children, and our succeeding generations.

The education from our schools must be equitable and inclusive, with the relentless purpose of enabling students to become critically and systemically thinking people who have empathy for all types of people, and understanding of the diverse world.

We need to:

· READ – from diverse, independent (not from big money) sources about a variety of topics that are important to how we all live and learn. Broaden our knowledge. Talk with each other. Learn about and from each other.

· Talk with our children and their teachers. Find out how teachers are teaching – what materials and resources are being used. Know how your child’s brain and voice are being enabled.

· Join or help initiate community conversations that will focus on the education provided by our schools – from perspectives of the true learning that is being provided (critical thinking as opposed to rote learning) as well as from equity and inclusion viewpoints (e.g., equity policy, culturally responsive and student-centered teaching).

· Communicate with school and district leadership about what is going well and what is not, and what needs change. Strive for real conversations with leadership.

· Join school and school district organizations.

· Find out about backgrounds of the people running for school board seats. VOTE! Maybe even run for a position yourself.

+ + +

Life provides opportunity for learning and for change. Learning and change provide opportunity for better life.