July 6, 2020

Dear Mr. Floyd

by Shae

Dear Mr. Floyd,

It is an honor to write to you today. However, I wish that you were able to read this yourself. I believe that this letter will reach the people who need this the most, along with you, watching over the reader. I wanted to start off with the ways in which your death has affected me and my life story. Since your passing, the uprising of protests have begun. Even in a pandemic, many people have found a greater need than their own, and I found that life changing. I strongly believe that your death was the breaking point for my and others’ silence, the beginning of a conversation that is well overdue. That is the overall purpose of my letter, to break my silence. Your death has become the beacon for my voice, eagerness for a change, and hunger for hope. I have become angrier with the justice system and found myself in need of verbal expression. My anger grew with the thought of seeing my brothers, nephews, stepdad, uncles and possibly my grandfather in the same position as you. While losing my dad in this pandemic, I can imagine what your daughter feels--hurt, harmed, at risk, or even unprotected. As a member of an older generation, I feel as if  I have a duty to protect her. Therefore, I wanted to inform you of my pledge for the future (my future). I vow to be a beacon for others, just as you are in your passing. I vow to not only wish for a change, but to enforce it. I vow to become a beacon for hope, prosperity, love, honor, and respect. May your hopes and dreams live on in your daughter and family. May you REST IN PEACE.

Best,

Shae