It's midnight on Thursday night, and typically around this time I would be getting ready to go to sleep. However, I am not getting ready for bed, and this is not a typical Thursday night. Earlier this evening, Dallas, TX police officers were ambushed, shot and some even killed. They were presiding over a rally with the movement #BlackLivesMatter.
I'm angry. I'm angry that we live in a society where mass shootings have become, for lack of a better term, just another Thursday night. I'm heartbroken that wives and children will never see their husbands and fathers again. Most importantly, however, I weep. Not just for the innocent Dallas police officers who were murdered, but also for what our nation has become.
I weep for anyone in America who DOESN'T think racism is still a problem. Wake up, people. Watch the news.
I weep for the hundreds of young African-American men who are afraid to walk their city streets -- in fear they may be targeted because of their race.
I also weep for the hundreds of law enforcement officers who are now under intense scrutiny, some deservedly so, but some just trying to help their fellow Americans.
I weep for the people, who, after the Dallas shooting said things like it was "justified" and "getting even." I also pray for these people and the obvious hate they have in their hearts.
I weep for the people who think the way to solve these types of issues is senseless violence -- from all races.
I weep because almost 50 years after the Civil Rights Movement, we are STILL having a conversation on whether one race is better than the other. (NEWSFLASH: it's not.)
I weep for my future children who, someday, as a result of these type of incidences, may grow up in a nation that is unrecognizable, and not in a good way.
I weep for all of the "Christians" I see on Facebook who constantly spew venom and hatred at anyone who doesn't live their life according to what they deem "acceptable."
Tonight, I weep with and for any citizen who has felt an injustice because of something SO insignificant as the color of the skin.
Our time is running out, America. The clock is ticking even as I type this. The time to act is now.