In the wake of the conviction of the former officer Derek Chauvin, for the murder of George Floyd, the public’s reactions have been extensive and complex. Insight on these responses were revealed in conversations with psychology professor Dr. Aletha M. Harven and the event coordinator of the Love Evolution Club, Tasneem Masud.
When speaking to Tasneem Masud, her first response to the verdict was that, while feeling that it was a good decision, she could not quite be happy because, “It’s not like the problem was solved, it’s like the top layer got solved but everything that was underneath is still going on.” 
These same concerns were echoed by Dr. Harven who mentioned that “although this seems like a win, there’s still so much work that has to be done to address systemic racism and anti-blackness.”
Though initial feelings do hold the sense that we still have far to go in actually reforming the police institution and solving these major issues with racism, this conviction has felt like a step forward to people.
Masud revealed how in conversations with the Love Evolution Club following the verdict, there was a sense of relief due to the major concern that Chauvin would be found not guilty despite his actions. The fact that these things continue to happen so often has stuck out to her and the club, and this conviction feels like baby steps to changing that.
Similarly, Dr. Harven emphasized how this issue has been a major problem in the black community for a long time and is unfortunately still happening now. For her, while “yes the verdict today shows that we are making a little bit of progress, to me it’s not a great deal of progress, but I am glad.”
Something important that Dr. Harven pointed out was the sense of exhaustion in the necessity of the fight that is still going on. The fact that those within the Black community still need to fight for their right to live sends out a clear message of the racially unjust climate we live in today. 
While these issues are still in place, this conviction has seemed to provide a sense of hope that the fight is truly progressing to an extent, and people like the Love Evolution Club and Dr. Harven are examples of that fight. 

Masud wished for people to know that “our club is open to anyone in the community that needs help, like the Black Lives Matter movement, our arms are open, and we will do what we can to help them.” Dr. Harven also makes it clear that “I am here for the fight, I am here to continue the push for progress and I hope that we continue to take steps in the right direction. But I do think it’s going to take continued national and worldwide attention.”