Dear Black America,

I’m sorry. I’m sorry we are so divided. I’m sorry it took so long for me to really understand your anger and frustration. I’m sorry for being just another frat white kid who didn’t know about your struggles and how you persevered. I’m sorry for being ignorant. American history is filled with horrors but none are greater than the oppression of a person by another. I’m sorry we let it go on for so long without standing up for you. I am sorry we allowed you to be the scum we wiped off our fancy leather boots as we sat down to eat. Im sorry we took you from your homes and brought you here against your will. I’m sorry we made you lesser than a human being. I am sorry we beat you. I am sorry we raped you. Most of all, I’m sorry we didn’t care. I’m sorry that the bloodiest war in American history couldn’t solve the problems you faced. I’m sorry for Jim Crow. I’m sorry for every single offense we commit against you. I’m sorry you had to endure fire hoses normally used to protect people being used as a crowd control and dogs biting at your knees. I’m sorry we still fail to care about you. I’m sorry we let our hardheadedness stop us from understanding organizations like Black Lives Matter. Now, let me tell you what I am thankful for today. I am thankful for the undying fire of those in the civil rights movement. I am thankful for those who fought for their freedom. I am thankful for the horrors of American history because it has brought us here together today. I hope one day we will not have to fight. I hope one day we can be more than just black and white. I hope one day we will recognize the name of those killed in Chicago. I hope that we don’t move backwards but forwards, together. So this is not only to black America or colored America, this is to all of America, we must move forward together. Step by step we can reach an America where everyone cares about each other, only if you join us.

Sincerely,

An ignorant white kid