ACT for George Floyd and Christian Cooper and Sandra Bland and, and, and for all of humanity. Don't do nothing.

George Floyd's last words, calling out to his mother and "I can't breathe," MUST ring through our ears and cause us to act. This post is from a friend's daughter, a young black woman living in Canada. It is a letter Keira wrote the day after George Floyd's death, to her brother who lives in Chicago. It is shared with permission.

"I just woke up in the middle of the night sobbing. I don’t know why George Floyd’s death is hitting me different, because I know this happens all the time to innocent black unarmed folks, but I can’t get the image of him begging just to breathe out of my mind.

I’ve re-written this 3 times. I want to scream at you “be careful” “don’t be caught doing any stupid shit” but I know none of this matters. A black man could live in fear his entire life and be meticulous with every decision and still be killed because his blackness is seen as a threat before he even opens his mouth.

I feel so angry and I’m trying to replace that feeling with some morsel of hope, but I’m tired. Tired of constantly seeing white people remain alive after committing heinous crimes - like school shootings – or killing 8 of us in Church and going to McDonald’s - and somehow live to see a court trial, when all a black person has to do is exist to give a white person a reason to kill us.

Due to past experiences with racism, I often feel afraid to go into predominantly white spaces, afraid to wear my hair out natural, afraid to wear hoodies. And although the fear is sometimes overwhelming for me, I can’t even begin to imagine how you and your friends feel as black men.

I don’t really have words to express how disgusted I am that we live in a world that is so plagued with hatred and racism that black men are being lynched in broad daylight. I don’t understand why this sense of despair and urgency I feel in my body doesn’t translate to every single person in America. I don’t understand how Mr. Floyd’s death doesn’t enrage everyone enough to take action. To call out racism, to demand justice.

I am furious that because he’s a black man, some people will go to bed tonight thinking his murder was justified - thinking that because the officers who killed Mr. Floyd could do it - they could maybe get away with killing a black man too.

Every day I pray for you and your friends’ safety, and for our mother’s peace of mind - because the only thing worse than losing a brother is losing your son.

Please know I LOVE YOU more than anything. More than you could ever imagine. If anything happened to you (god forbid) - I would fight until I took my last breath for justice.

And while you’re still here I’ll of course continue fighting and using my voice because our families, friends and future children deserve so much better. I know these are just meaningless words..... I wish I could protect you. I’m so sorry I can’t..... You’re my heart.

️Love you to death"