ACA Response to the Derek Chauvin Trial

The increasing terror and constant trauma of racial injustice and systemic racism in the United States reached a new emotional tipping point with the trial of Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. Many people across the world saw this as a test of the criminal justice system. Police who violate the law must be held accountable. It is vital to know that – despite our individual or collective thoughts – this case had serious implications for the counseling profession.

“The trial of Derek Chauvin coupled with other high-profile police killings of Black Americans in recent months, has been excruciatingly retraumatizing for many people, and Black people in particular,” said Dr. Sue Pressman, ACA President. “Professional counselors will need to assess themselves with a hypervigilant and transparent scope to root out any unidentified biases to help facilitate the racial and individual healing that is needed for our country.”

ACA is built on a mission that promotes human dignity and diversity, respect, the attainment of a quality of life for all, empowerment, integrity, social justice advocacy, equity and inclusion. It is incumbent that we all think critically about what the Chauvin case really means within the context of the greater societal good—specifically its impact on racial justice.

Key Facts

• According to the National Academy of Sciences, Black men have a 1-in-1,000 chance of dying at the hands of the police
• 60% of hate crimes are racially motivated or related to ethnicity/national origin bias
• Racism costs the US almost $2 trillion each year

ACA is committed to actively listening and working to achieve the promise of a greater America for all. For more information about racism, racial trauma and healing, we strongly urge you to visit our Racism page.