I am haunted by the video of #GeorgeFloyd's brutal, callous murder - a subdued man slowly executed by someone sworn to serve and protect. It echoes so many other videos of violence, aggression, & hostility against ppl of color - not to mention personal experiences with (1/8)

...racism - sometimes casual, sometimes systemic, always deeply embedded. I can only fathom the pain that such videos cause those who see in #GeorgeFloyd a reflection of themselves, or a child, or a parent, or a neighbor; a personal memory of being harmed or threatened or (2/8)

...slighted. I've faced racism on occasion, but I haven't feared for my safety or had the burden of feeling that every interaction could be altered simply b/c of the color of my skin. (I do recall growing up in Alabama and wishing fervently that I was just white - I'm (3/8)

...half-Indian, half-white - like most of my friends; luckily, an adulthood spent no further south than the DC area has made racism a smaller part of my life.) Whatever a person's narrative, some part of them may be able to empathize with the great pain being felt by the (4/8)

...black community right now. But I also know the feeling of helplessness & wondering if we have the right words, or the "right" to speak up. What I've heard from black friends & colleagues is that they do want to hear our "voices" added to this great chorus of pain. (5/8)

...However we can offer support, it is appreciated. Even if our words are repetitive or awkward, they matter. More impactful still are actions like reaching out to ask, "how are you?"; joining peaceful demonstrations; & asking, how can I / my organization be part of the (6/8)

...solution? Small steps enacted on a broad scale can add up to meaningful change. We must not simply observe these events from a safe distance, shake our heads, & privately wish that society weren't so hard for people of color. We must act - esp. those of us with (7/8)

...positions of power (which is to say, in one way or another, all of us). If not now, when? If we will not stand with POC when the pain is so great that our country is literally on fire, when will we deem the situation dire enough to "get involved"? The time is now. (8/8)