In light of the recent tragedies that have swept our nation, I am speaking out. I am speaking out against the disgusting truth that has become America today.

I don’t know why or how this hatred against people different than ourselves has grown to the extent of murder occurring almost every day, but this is not something that I will accept or be silent about.

Black lives matter. Black lives matter. Black lives matter.

I am a white person and because of that I have the privilege of feeling safe most places I go. This is a feeling that my friends of color have never experienced in this country. This is a feeling that I take for granted every day when I am able to walk outside and not fear for my life. My race has been a shield for me.

My friends of color walk outside with fear. There is always awareness and caution in their eyes. They are not safe.

Yes, all lives matter. Of course, all lives matter. But I’m not scared for myself or my own life right now. I am safe. I am comfortable. I have the luxury of privilege and security.

Right now, I am scared for the millions of people of color that are endangered in our nation today.

I am scared for the proud people of the LGBT+ community that now fear a night out. I am scared for the families that are losing fathers, brothers, friends, cousins.

I am scared for our country today.

This is not an issue of merely law enforcement. This is an issue that lies much deeper. We cannot blame all police officers, all white people, all uninformed people. Fear does a lot to people. Until we abolish the fear that has crippled our country, we will not see change.

We are a nation that fights terrorism, yet we are infested with terrorism within ourselves. We are killing ourselves from the inside out.

Silence, in this case, is destruction. Every voice is important and necessary in this fight for change.

We will not be silent. I will fight for the lives of these people until I can see a nation that looks like what America promises to be already.