I know their loss and still seek reform

It is hard to capture all that went through my mind and heart when I heard about the guilty verdict for Officer Peter Liang. Deep inside, I feel that this is an important moment in history and a vital step toward justice. Another young man was taken away from his family, and finally, there is accountability.

This will not bring Akai Gurley back. We all know that. And there are so many victims — including the officer’s family. But at least this decision sets an example for all the families who have suffered so much.

We have together, as heartbroken families, to create a change, and what happened in this courtroom is a good signal.

But there is a lot more road to be traveled. And we must be forward-looking. As we look for justice, we must also seek out solutions.

This case, especially, shows that the relationship between the police and the community cannot be improved by sending in an officer who is afraid, who doesn’t know the place he is patrolling, nor the people who live there.

I believe that we must be constructive now and adopt new approaches. I believe that before officers put on a badge, they be required to perform community service for six months in the neighborhoods they will police.

In this way, they would form a connection and bond with the people they serve, to see these people as individuals.

Mostly, I am thinking of the mothers and fathers still waiting for justice.

Even at this moment, we should not turn our attention away from the families of Mohamed Bah, Ramarley Graham, Eric Garner and so many others, still waiting to be heard, still waiting for the justice system to honor their sons.

As a mother who understands their loss, my prayers are with all of them at this moment.