To All People Of Color, I'm Sorry The United States Treated You Like Dirt | The Odyssey Online
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Politics and Activism

To All People Of Color, I'm Sorry The United States Treated You Like Dirt

I know it's not enough but I am sorry for the actions of those who claim to be "better"

Katie Wilson
Aug 20, 2017
National Writers Society
35
To All People Of Color, I'm Sorry The United States Treated You Like Dirt
US Air Force

To my friends, and family, the people who I love and cherish and also those of you whom I don’t know who are fearing for your safety as people of color, I want to apologize.

As a white woman I know that no matter what I do, there is so much more I could do. There is so much more you deserve to hear, and that should be said, but what I really want to say to you is:

I’m sorry.

I am sorry that you have a president who isn’t protecting you. I am sorry that you have a country that isn’t fighting for you but against you. I am sorry that the people vowing to protect and serve don’t think that it includes you.

I’m sorry. I am sorry, and I see you. I see what is happening, I see the struggles you are facing, I see the horror. I see it, and I apologize on behalf of those causing it.

As I watch the news of the riots this weekend and the President’s response, or the leader of the KKK tell a Hispanic reporter that she’s garbage, and he’s going to burn her, all I want to do is throw up.

It sickens me that anyone could think any of these things are even sane. I have no words to describe how utterly revolted and heartbroken I am.

I may not be the president or someone who has the power to take this fight to the next level, but I promise you I will fight this fight with you. You deserve so much more than the hand you have been dealt. You deserve so much more than the door that has repeatedly been slammed in your face. You deserve the moon and the stars and everything in between.

Khalil Gibran said, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” It is one of my favorite quotes and one I believe to be true. With so much adversity happening and so much turmoil and heartache, I hope to offer just a fraction of the amends, the compassion and the solidarity that you deserve.

I know I can not even begin to imagine what you are going through, and I know I could never understand, but I promise to be here. I promise to listen to you, to defend you, fight for you and most importantly, to love you.

On behalf of every white person in America, I am so sorry, and I pray that one day we see the end of this.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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