America continues to deteriorate around us. And while some people stand with their eyes and ears closed to the issues, others are left to try and rebuild humanity to what it should be. It is for this reason that I want to address the American people.
To America:
I’m sorry that we are still facing trials and tribulations that have plagued our nation since she was still in her infancy. I’m sorry that our Pledge of Allegiance says “one nation under God”, but we are so divided that it feels as if we are oceans apart. I’m sorry that “all men are created equal” didn’t legally include all men until the 20th century; and, I’m sorry that it does not systematically include all men at this present time. I’m sorry for these past events that have made us feel as if we have to be for one side and against the other. Namely, I'm sorry for issues between the American citizens and the police.
To the families and victims of police brutality:
I’m sorry for what you are going through. I’m sorry that when you and your loved one stated your farewells, neither would have guessed that the next time that you would be in each other’s presence one’s head would be cold from the silencer known as death. And the other would be left to pick up the pieces of broken hearts.
Tamir Rice, I’m sorry that while you played in the park with your toy gun, real bullets took your life without just cause. 1 Corinthians 13:11 says, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child…” And for that, I’m sorry that your thoughts were on playing and not that playing with a toy gun could warrant your death. Alton Sterling, I’m sorry that you were tackled, pinned to the ground, and shot several times in the chest and back for selling CD’s.
David Kassick, I’m sorry that as you were lying face down in the snow after being tasered and raised your hands in the air, the police felt the need to still shoot you in the back. Ricardo Diaz Zeferino, I’m sorry that as you tried to explain to the police that someone had stolen your friend’s bike, you raised your hands in the air and four officers proceeded to shoot.
I’m so sorry that the body of America has a disease known as police brutality. And I’m sorry that the physician, also known as the justice system, continues to give it a clean bill of health, while the American people relentlessly search for a cure that has yet to be found. I’m sorry to every American who has suffered at the hands of police brutality with it going unnoticed. I'm sorry that it happened because of your race, social status, or anything in between.
To the honest police force:
I’m sorry that you are branded as being people that America cannot trust. I'm sorry that you took a vow to protect and serve, only to be feared and disliked by some Americans. I'm sorry that you leave behind families to risk your lives to keep us safe, yet there are some Americans who say that you and your corrupted counterparts are the same. Brent Thompson, Patrick Zamarripa, Michael Krol, Michael Smith, Lorne Ahrens, and the other officers that were injured, I'm sorry that as you lined the streets of Dallas to make sure that a protest would remain safe, someone took advantage of this peaceful opportunity and rained down more hatred and violence on innocent people.
As the outcry continues, so does the separation of America. Everyone is talking, but no one wants to listen. Just because at one point in American history being pro one race meant that you were anti every other race doesn’t mean that this is still true today. And who says that being against police brutality means that you are against the police force and vice versa? We must stand together or watch as America crumbles and falls. We must continue to be steadfast and pray that God will be with us, stand by us, and stand for us. Because without God, the world is nothing. Prayer, love and a genuine understanding is the only way for us to survive a time such as this.
Peace and Love,
Kourtney
