I’ve heard many of you say that in this moment of heightened racial tension that you feel: uncomfortable, misunderstood, wrongly accused

I’ve heard you say that you don’t want to be lumped together with all the angry, hateful, white folks on the news — that you aren’t a “bad white person” like the media is portraying white America these days.
I’ve heard you say that you wish people would stop assuming that you believe or behave like something that you are not.

I’ve heard you say that you don’t want people to make assumptions about your privilege because it’s false and part of your stereotype.

I’ve heard you say that all of this makes you angry and flustered but unsure of how to express that feeling without being misunderstood.
I’ve heard you and I understand.

I hope you can take a moment to hear me when I say …

I’ve felt this feeling, this discomfort, this unfairness, been misunderstood.. for my entire life — lived with it for decades because I am NOT white.

Imagine that it never goes away, that it never “blows over”, and that there is nowhere to hide from it.

Imagine that level of distress, anger, and frustration and be kind the next time you interact with a person who doesn’t look or live like you — just be kind. It won’t end for any of us unless we can just be kind and compassionate to one another.

I’ve heard YOU — — Are you listening to me?

#NotASnowflake #IHaveFeelingsToo #MyFeelingsMatter #MyLifeMatters #RacismIsReal #BeKind