Brad H.

I’ve been struggling with what to say – to respond to everything that has transpired over the last week, years. I will never understand what it’s like to walk in the shoes of those that are hurting – continue to be hurt – and those that are shouting to be heard. And what I can do about it. What can we do about it. No one person can do this alone. No one person can have all the answers.

But every day we must fight against the racism that permeates our institutions. We can make a difference. We can do it together. We can follow influential men and women on social media and repost their words. And you should. But they aren’t going to make you do something. Do anything. You must do it yourself. We must do it together. I pledge I will.

Brenda M.

The isolation COVID has required of us has softened us up and made our feelings more accessible and overwhelming. When I saw the woman in Central Park weaponizing her white privilege it made me physically ill, and I couldn’t even watch the video of George Floyd’s murder – it was too much. Let’s seize this moment to start a conversation and finally get the real knee of power that’s been on the necks of people of color in this country since it was founded. I am a 60-year-old educated white woman and I know I’ve enjoyed privilege not afforded to all of my fellow citizens. I want to help make it right for everyone.

Mary T.

I teach Civics/Government to 9th graders in Saint Paul, MN. I have increasingly tried to stress with them that the Bill of Rights and the Constitution in general are documents based on ideals, not reality. That we have to live up to those ideals, and that we haven’t ever, actually done so. We are lucky that the Framers built a Constitution with such high ideals, even if they themselves didn’t practice what they preached. We have the opportunity to create a system that lives up to them.

I really hope there is no going back-no return to “normal.” I believe that it is time to really examine the police state that has been built while many of us were looking the other way. These riots and unrest have brought into focus something that many could pretend didn’t exist—an overly aggressive, militarized police force that is not beholden to the people they allegedly serve.

Of course, that’s just the start. Equity means an examination of our health care system, our education system, and our criminal justice system to name a few. We have to have tough conversations. We need leadership that can bring people together.

Sandra B.

Let's turn this tanker around ... A living wage, health insurance, affordable housing, child care, and back to owning the world's top public educational system. It will take time, so let's start now to take back what we had before deregulation and greed took over. And yes, a chicken in every pot, and a whole lot of love.

Alan G.

I’m as concerned as everyone else about the Floyd case, but where I part ways with the activists is framing it purely as a racial issue. Though racism way well be a factor in the killing of George Floyd, the commentary is sidetracking us from the underlying problem of police malpractice. To today’s arrogant, militarized urban police forces, it’s not a matter of black and white - to them, we’re all Iraqis, to be treated as a colonized rabble. Charges have been filed in Minneapolis, so there will be a trial at which any racial effect will come out in the testimony. 

Kim F.

It is long overdue to provide prevention versus being reactive. Healthcare for all would be a start at prevention. It would provide for: more care, less stress, less spread of disease/viruses because of having to work, more mental healthcare, more addiction treatment, more treatment for diabetes and other disorders that disproportionately affect those of color, and on and on.

This combined with justice system reform, starting with the elimination of bail and jail before trial would be a good starting point.

Kathy B.

It is the time for all of us to get uncomfortable. I notice that I wait to post, until it sounds just right, until I’m sure I will not offend anyone, that my words are politically, socially, racially correct. That is a luxury I am no longer willing to afford myself. Let me say it wrong, so that I might learn. Let me offend someone, so that I may understand their perspective and learn from that. Let me risk an in-elegant post (and what? My dignity?).

I believe now more than ever that is our responsibility, those of us who have any privilege at all, to speak out, to speak up, to educate, to learn, to learn, to learn. Thank you for being a teacher and showing the way. I am endeavoring to do the same.

Tracy T.

This is a total overreaction. A bad cop did a bad thing...nothing more, nothing less. To blow this up into anti-cop rhetoric or a black-white issue is foolish and irresponsible.

Sara F.

It is not feasible to declare that all discrimination will be eradicated from this day forward as if a magic spell were cast. It is not reasonable to assume that anyone can at one time know, identify or list all the specific instances that require reform so as to establish a roadmap of specific corrections to be implemented. And it is not reasonable to expect the existing social and governmental institutions to spontaneously undertake the long and complicated task of identifying what needs to be changed about themselves to rout out racial bias, how it can be effectively changed without losing its valid purpose, and to implement self-deconstruction and correction, while at the same time continuing to provide the appropriate public services they were intended to meet. The question becomes one of how do we systematically as a society, over what is probably a significant period of time, implement a process that will recognize and identify the small things that by themselves seem innocent but which combine and mutually support each other in promoting wrong thinking and behaving, and that produce a discrimination that most people do not intend, but do so without at the same time losing the positive cultural, social, political and procedural aspects of the American experiment itself.

Nichelle B.

I am not sure that it is possible to simultaneously feel numb and white hot rage but that is how I feel. Not surprised, but incensed that the color of my skin, those of my children, those of the man I love, the brothers-in-law I cherish, the mother who nurtured me, the sisters who are my wings, the niece who tickles me with her shade, and those of the myriad of people who make up the tapestry that is my support network is so offensive to people that they must summon all of their inhumanity to interact with us. I know that sentence was a run on and I don’t care, because I have fit into the rules and the boxes for so long under the illusion that it would keep me and mine safe. But it is a lie. The rules and the boxes were panacea to make me feel like I could be free in world where white women would rather say hello to dogs than me, where a man could serve a longer sentence for hurting an animal than for killing a black person, where a mass murder is offered a meal on his way to prison after killing 9 people in a church.

Where do I go to be free? What do I tell my children to keep them safe? What do I do next?

I    DON’T    KNOW

Hatred has even stolen my ability to think.

Thank you for this space. Not sure any of this is coherent but it felt good to get it out.

— A Black Mother In Immense Pain.

Josh H.

There is too much judgement, which stems from everyone wanting the next guy to behave the same way they do... which is NOT how the USA, the melting pot of the world, works. We combine cultures and we mix races... since when is it appropriating culture? Mixing together should be appreciated. The food, the music, the traditions... real people respect all people because it's love, it's interesting, it's empowering to see the difference and love because of it.

I'm scared now to be lumped into a group of people that just don't understand and I don't know what to do as a white person. I'm an ally. I get it, I didn't live it, but I get it. I just want to help and make a difference and I don't know what to do or where to start.

Gloria A.

I’m angry just writing this email and frustrated at the knowledge that HATE may overcome. It brings tears to my eyes and my heart aches. I don’t know how much more I can take, and I obviously cannot imagine what Floyd’s family and the Black community at large is going through. I just keep trying to do my civic duty, caring and loving those around me and protesting peaceably. Will my voice be heard? Am I making a difference?

I don’t blame people for being at their wits end and rioting. I don’t. I’m trying to overcome the anger and the hate I have for those officers. I’m a Christian and I’m struggling with forgiveness. What are the answers, I don’t know. I just know that boy am I praying a lot.

I do know, however, that we need to make changes in our police and judicial systems. It’s not enough that officers attend “sensitivity” training. We need a way to weed out the bad apples before they get into the academy. Another is obvious - teach our children well, love not hate.

Robert L.

I have never before written a letter to the editor. I am not sure if that correctly identifies the current situation. I look forward to your analysis of how we can make America better. I am a conservative Republican, but know there is a better way. I respectfully suggest to you that part, and perhaps a large part, is a lack of leadership from both political parties. While it is true that President Trump seems undisciplined and chaotic, the Democrats don’t seem to offer better options. A big part of the problem is that at the present time we can believe no one. Our leaders seem to have the belief that honesty, truthfulness, and integrity are personality flaws.

Rashauna L.

I’ve been feeling a lot of things lately. Mostly shame. As a white individual, I feel embarrassed to have not stood up sooner, not recognized glaringly obvious inequalities, and benefitted from them along the way. I feel relieved to have so many courageous, patient people determined to educate. There’s a lot I don’t know. There’s a lot I’ll never fully understand, but I am a student once again, ready to listen, ready to learn. I mostly feel excited. I see a powerful, national, mostly non-violent call to action. I want more than anything for this to bring about real systemic, social, and lasting change.

Isiah T.

The one word that comes to mind when I turn on the news and also see what sentiments circulate social media is “tired.” I am tired of seeing bodies of Black people laying lifeless in the street because they’ve been slain by racist police officers who lack self control. I am tired of people not believing the cries of people of color. I am also confused by the response or lack thereof of the President and the government at large to the cries of my people. I am however thankful for the White friends in my life who have reached out to check on me, and some have even asked to talk thru what is happening. I do believe that hearts are changing around the issue. And that is important because it is just that: a heart issue. Protesting honestly just magnifies the trauma that I have experienced and that I witness on TV, but what I can do is speak, and I hope to be a helpful voice in this matter.

Betsy S.

I want to learn more about how I can help. I want to learn more about ways that I can speak up for black people. But also is it crazy to want to walk up to any black person that I meet and somehow let them know that I am on their side? I believe they should be given the same chances and I wish I could help more somehow. I believe that they are entitled to walk around and not be afraid of getting attacked by police. I believe they should not have to live with prejudices and racism from others. How can I say all of that with a smile or a hello? Can we come up with a new socially distant sign of “I’m on your side“ and not have it be tarnished by people using it wrongly? I believe for too long black people have struggled with racism and hatred and I want to say to them, every one of them that I meet, that I value them. They are worthy and deserve a life free from fear. Things need to be changed and we all need to speak out about it.

Mary H.

I do believe that racism is taught, and the systems we live by promote it. I need concrete examples of actions, and thoughts, and feelings that will help me see the oneness with all my fellow humans. I want unity. I want pressure on corporate America. Why doesn’t Mattel sell black Ken dolls, and black Skipper dolls - off the shelf, and at the SAME cost of white dolls. I want pressure on politicians to have diverse staff and equitable policies. I want more diversity in government. How can we make this all happen. We need a NEW vision and tools to make it a reality.