True justice would be Ahmaud Arbery still alive and well.
If he were here to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow with his family and loved ones, that would be the best possible justice.
But we must be content with justice that is both
complete and incomplete,
satisfactory and unsatisfactory.
Ahmaud was murdered.
Murdered by three men who thought that their race conferred upon an unshakable, unquestionable authority.
The authority to detain without badge or warrant.
The authority to kill without reason or provocation.
They thought they could commit these acts with impunity.
They thought they would face no penalties, no consequences.
Today, they were made aware that their skin color confers nothing but a certain type of skin.
Today, they were reminded that even in our decidedly broken legal system, sometimes things work out.
Sometimes, the law avenges the innocent when it is the only earthly agent that can.
Sometimes, the guilty are called to account for their actions, and held responsible.
Justice wouldn't be necessary if not for the transgression.
A trial need not have taken place if Ahmaud had been allowed to continue running.
He could be alive today.
But he is not.
But neither are his murderers running free to murder another innocent Person of Color.
If we treated each other the way we were created to treat each other,
Justice wouldn't have been necessary.
Love and mercy could have prevailed.
But when love and mercy are replaced with hatred and prejudice,
Justice is what is required.
In this case,
even though Ahmaud is still dead,
Justice must suffice.
In this case,
Justice has to be enough.