To those who feel wronged, I get it. I understand that so many of us feel disenfranchised, and we often feel like we don't have a voice. We feel that we have so many barriers to overcome that we don't stand a chance in our society. Whatever race, gender, socioeconomic status, mental ability, or sexual orientation we have, we are people and we deserve respect. We deserve to be heard and to be valued. You deserve to be heard and to be valued.

This is precisely why I'm terrified about what is going on in downtown Charlotte right now. I sit in my room in Gastonia tonight in fear because the very issues many of us think we are fighting for are being violated by protests. The protests that have been going on in Charlotte have not been showing equality and respect. They have been advocating fear, anarchy, and disrespect of property and persons.

I'm honestly not sure what will happen with the investigation into this police shooting. I was not present at the shooting, so I don't know all of the particulars. However, I cannot control what happened at that instance in the past. I can only control how I respond in the present. Therefore, instead of posting a fleeting comment on Facebook or going into downtown to tell people to stop, I've decided to write an article that I've put thought into.

To my city, I'd like to say that I don't think this is who we want to be. We don't want our city plastered across the country's televisions with images of violence. We don't want our governor to feel the need to call in the National Guard, because of the fear and apprehension that has been growing in our streets. We don't want to fear for our friends and family members who work, live, or go to school in Charlotte. Let's make this city a place we feel safe again. Let's make it a place that we would be proud to see on national television once more.

To the protesters, I understand that you feel emboldened by the injustice you feel was done. However, let's not commit more injustices because one has already been committed. No more lives need to end. No more businesses need to suffer. No more citizens need to live in fear. In our haste and our passion to do something, let us strive to not add to the problem with our society.

To the family of Keith Lamont Scott, I am truly sorry for your loss. I sincerely wish that this tragedy had not happened to you.

To the police officers involved, I am sorry for all of the trouble this has caused. I'm sure that you were simply trying to do your job, and I greatly doubt anyone wakes up hoping to kill another individual that day. I'm sorry about the outcome of that day, and I'm sorry about the scrutiny this has placed you under. Thank you for protecting us every day that you have, and I'm sorry that your careers have been reduced to this one altercation.

Finally, to my fellow Christians in all of Charlotte and anywhere else in the nation or the world, I implore you to pray for my city. Pray that we might make wise decisions and handle this situation with the care and attention it deserves, but also with the peace and respect it deserves. Pray for our community.