My heart is so full of anger and sadness lately. Our nation is at war and it’s my fault.
I let you down. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to do it. I have been hearing about these issues my entire life, but I didn’t see how much of a problem it is until now. It didn’t feel real until now.
You’re at your wit’s end; I can see it in your eyes. You’re fed up with me because I have been listening, but I haven’t been taking the right actions to support you. I can’t believe I let things get this bad.
The color of your skin doesn’t scare me.
The look of serenity that former officer Derek Chauvin had while he stole every last breath from George Floyd scares me. This man begged you for his life as he cried out for his mother, Chauvin. You didn’t budge an inch to save his life. How could you?
I can’t imagine how it feels to be discriminated against in such a violent way. I’m sorry that you’ve had to live your life like this. I’m shocked and enraged at our government. I’m livid about the violent things they continue doing to non-violent people.
I’m angry that we have so many major issues with injustice that people turn to comparing them:
“what about… “,
“why doesn’t the media cover…”,
“where’s justice for …”
Aren’t all these injustices bad? If they’re all bad, why do we divide ourselves over which ones are worse?
I’ve realized that we are so much more alike than we see. Our battles may be different, but our enemy is the same. This feels like a good vs bad war; a right vs wrong war. Let’s gear up for battle together; for united we stand, divided we fall.
My whole life I’ve been told how important it is to vote. So I vote. But it hit me today that voting isn’t enough…
I need to stand up for all victims of injustice, not just my own injustices.
I need to know my rights inside and out so that I can hold my government accountable for their actions. So I can defend my Constitution in the right ways.
I need to know the true history of my country so that I can do my part to break the cycle. I’m tired of fake news and extremist conspiracies. I am committed to searching for the truth and educating those around me so this doesn’t happen again.
I need to pay attention to politics at every level of government.
I need to understand the values of every politician on every ballot regardless of party affiliation. So that I am sure to vote for the right people, GOOD people, at every opportunity. People who are willing to take a stand against the evils of this nation to fight for good; even if that means they’re standing alone.
I knew that I have been bestowed rights, but I forgot about my duty to hold my nation to a higher standard. I pledge to never forget that duty again and to fight for your life as vigorously as I fight for my own. I will not be part of the problem anymore.
Seeing good people out there doing good things gives me hope. I pledge to model their behavior and be an active part in cleaning up this mess. I pledge to take part in protecting my community against villainy and tyranny alike so that we never have to see another war.
I’m sorry that I let you down. I’ll do better; you have my word.
Thank you for showing me how ignorant I have been.
From the bottom of my heart,
An Enlightened Human Being