I cannot sit idly by and see another innocent African American killed. To say that the physical, psychological, and emotional damage that has arisen from the most recent events, surrounding the incident in Minneapolis is heartbreaking would be an understatement. I must speak out on the injustice that is going on in this country today, especially what has happened to George Floyd.

We have taught our kids to always respect your elders and obey the law. What do we tell our African American children today? It is disheartening to see the frequent, senseless killings of unarmed black men and women, being gunned down and hunted like we are animals. We can’t get use to this because it’s not normal. THIS MUST STOP!!!

Policing based on stereo types is unsafe, ineffective, and unjust. We as a nation must revisit police training, procedures, and philosophy to do a better job of keeping EVERYONE safe by having continuous police de-escalation/sensitivity training. The fire that burns in Minneapolis didn’t just happen all of a sudden. The fire started as an ember in the hearts and minds of the public which grew with each new incident of injustice. A riot is the language of an unheard people. I am in no way condoning this behavior, but this is an explanation for it.

We should not be afraid to DRIVE WHILE BLACK, WALK WHILE BLACK, SHOP WHILE BLACK, JOG WHILE BLACK, OR EVEN SLEEP WHILE BLACK!!! We must not submit to violence or rioting, that’s not the answer. We must come together as one to end INSTITUTIONAL SYSTEMIC RACISM IN AMERICA!!! We can do this if we unite together. Let’s make our vote count at the ballot box. Speak out and  let our voices be heard by any means necessary-EXCEPT VIOLENCE!

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said: “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.

Whatever effects one directly, affects all indirectly.” He also said, Our nation begins to die the day we become silent about the things that matter.”

God bless and I will see you on the journey!!!