I Am Here, I Will Stand With You, and I Will Fight For You

Tonight, as I was putting Tyler to bed, I held him and rocked him long after he fell asleep and held onto him a little tighter than usual. I held him longer because I am scared for our Nation. I held him longer than usual for all the mothers who will never be able to hold their child again because their child was senselessly and wrongfully murdered.

One week ago, George Floyd was murdered by a force that is supposed to protect. George Floyd was murdered without a fair trial or being able to defend himself. Human Rights is innocent until proven guilty yet so many are treated guilty until proven innocent. So many never get the chance to defend themselves because they are senselessly and wrongfully killed. So many should not have to defend themselves because they were not doing anything wrong in the first place when they were killed.

Why is it so hard for humans to love one another? Why is it so hard for humans to help those in need especially when its happening right in front of them? Why is it so easy for humans to turn a blind eye? When will humans stop judging someone by their social class or the color of their skin? When will all humans finally be treated equally?

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” -Nelson Mandela

As a parent I know it is my job to raise my children to love and respect everyone. I can promise that I will raise my children to treat everyone with respect. I will teach my children to treat everyone equally. I will teach my children to stand-up for what is right even when its hard. I will teach my children to help those in need. I will teach my children to fight with and for your children. I will teach my children that racism is unacceptable.

How do we stop these senseless and wrongful killings? I am truly asking because I don’t have the answer. This past week protests have been taking place around the World. How do we stop the “opportunists” that are causing destruction in our cities? These “opportunist” that are looting and destroying property. The message of the peaceful protesters is being lost because of the “opportunists” behavior. Please do not let these looters and rioters let you lose sight of what we are fight for. How do we end police brutality? (I do not know what it takes to become a police officer and I do not know how often/if ever they are evaluated.) Are there more/different screenings/evaluations that can be done? Do they have quarterly or yearly screenings/evaluations? How is someone still a police officer with 18 complaints on his official record? How do we make sure we have police officers that will protect and defend and not kill/murder based on the color of skin? {Thank you to all the police officers who do your job with dignity and honor.}

How do we end racism? How do we fix our broken Nation that is being torn apart at the seams and being divided more and more every day? The Civil Rights movement was from 1954-1968 and we still do not have equality. When will we ever fully be “one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”? Until that happens, I want you to know that I will stand with you and I will fight for what is right. I have seen many of my friends post about different times that they have been a victim of racism and I am sorry. I will never fully understand what you have gone through and continue to go through; but I am here, I will stand with you, and I will fight for you.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be Kind. Always.”