Stand With Us
by Japan

#StandWithUs
This message is intended for the police department at 3101 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408. Every white person is not racist and brutal, no. If I can understand that, why can’t racists take the stereotypes away from my people? A single story is dangerous & menacing. I use that choice of words because not a single story is incomplete . #Saytheirnames is a powerful movement. I feel it's more powerful than it’s been in years. I personally believe that not every white police officer is not bad, but if I encounter police, I would be scared out of my mind. I would hesitate in response to what may commence the behavior to act as if I am a threat. I would be afraid to be seen as a menace to society, and even worse, trigger the ignorance in you that you say is in “ colored people.” Maybe the officer would brutally murder me and I would get no justice. This letter is to the police because if I am afraid of you. You are constantly killing my kind, so who can I call? I can’t call the police on the police right? I just take a knee and pray that wherever officers are wearing shields, they see the righteousness in all humans who may not be in uniform, those who have to go home to their kids and family. It’s 2020 and we’ve been going through modern day slavery for years. I know this because my grandma has been protesting. So, if my generation is still out there now too, then no change has come. We are not systemically equal. The fight for Black Lives Matter is hard. It's not easy; it’s emotional and I just want to know if you would stand with us through this journey?