Yesterday I was silent because I wanted to ignore everything that was going on.

I wanted to ignore the fact that a Black man named Christian Cooper in NY had survived the cops being wrongfully called on him. I wanted to ignore the fact that a Black man named George Floyd was killed by a White Police Officer who refused to remove his knee from George’s neck.

I wanted to ignore it because this summer, I sought out an internship at a predominately white church in my denomination (of which my church has a loving relationship with) as a learning opportunity. I believe the people I know at this church are good people. I also believe there’s a possibility that some of the people at this church may not agree with me speaking out in this way.

I wanted to ignore it because I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers.
But I can’t. Not when my skin is the same color as #GeorgeFloyd and #ChristianCooper’s.

I can’t ignore it to save me some type of Happiness and Joy because this morning I still woke up sorrowful.

I can’t ignore it when my child’s father runs outside alone in Charlotte as often as he can to help him live a healthy life for our daughter.

I can’t ignore it when all of my brothers have been in the system at one point in their lives or another and have had bad experiences with the police.

I can’t ignore it when I think about my guy friends who are all law abiding citizens live their daily lives in this disgusting world.

I won’t ignore it. It’s too painful to ignore, and too painful to bare.
I’m a Black Woman and a citizen of the USA and I’m tired of the injustice.