One year has passed since the murder of George Floyd (opens in new tab). During this grueling year, the world has reacted in a big way. Here in the United States we have seen demonstrations in the streets, and in communities around the world (opens in new tab) we have seen angry protests against a system of oppression that has plagued the world for far too long. And, as if that weren't enough, dozens more black men and women have been killed at the hands of the police. The feelings of hurt, exhaustion, and defeat are understandable. Many of us already knew the pain of seeing Derek Chauvin's knee hit George Floyd's neck, but this tragedy has awakened many others in our society to a reality that black people have long understood: there are two different systems in this country, one for white people system, and the other for people of color.

I grew up in Petersburg, Virginia, one of the poorest areas in the Commonwealth. I attended a school where I was not allowed to take home textbooks or have a certified teacher in the classroom. I remember seeing students from the neighboring community of Colonial Heights getting much of what they needed to succeed. Our community was resilient, but at an early age I realized that we were living in a two-tiered system that did not benefit others like me.

After law school, I became a public defender, and every day I saw the two-tier structure embedded in the bricks of the criminal justice system. In the courtroom, I defended marginalized people and clients who were charged with crimes they did not commit and forced to spend time in jail while white people who could easily post bail went home the next day.

Outside the courtroom, I think about my family. My husband, Jeff, knows what it's like to see the flashing lights of a police officer in the rearview mirror and wonder, "Is this just a ticket or will there be worse consequences?" I think about my three year old twin sons. At what age do people stop thinking of them as cute kids and start seeing them as criminals instead?

Structural racism can be a matter of life and death, and on May 25, 2020, Americans witnessed that fact for themselves. Last month, Derek Shovin was held accountable for his actions (open in new tab). But true justice means that George Floyd is still with us. As we continue to fight for equality, we have an obligation to recognize that the Shovin verdict is just one case that was handed down unanimously. Many trials have failed to achieve a similar result and have not been held accountable. Many grand juries have failed to reach an indictment. Many defendants have heard verdicts of "not guilty."

So what can we do to continue to fight for racial justice?

Americans must understand what a fair criminal justice system looks like and, more importantly, vote for the people who will make it happen. From presidents and senators to school board members and district attorneys, we need to vote for candidates who are committed to eradicating systemic racism.

This year I am running for Governor of Virginia. I will be a governor who has lived through a collapsed two-tier system. My grandmother, who raised me, always taught me that if I did not speak up, who would?

But in order to change this system that treats black students differently than white students and black men in convenience stores differently than white men in convenience stores, we all have to stand up and show up. Whether it be in the streets, at the polls, or by running for office ourselves. Change cannot wait.

Jennifer Carol Foy served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2018-2020, during which time she passed a ban on law enforcement strangulation. She is currently running for governor of Virginia and, if elected, would become the first black female governor in the United States.