A lot of people calling me naive for wanting this to resolve peacefully. I freely admit to being a pacifist. When you’ve seen people die and children starve because of political violence, you tend not to be excited about it happening in your own country, and hope for a better way

Obviously I want things to change. I understand the rage. I felt it too when I saw that video. I feel it when I see how our country has failed people of color. I have not paid their price, but I understand injustice all too well. I’ve also seen what happens when states collapse.

It’s easy to think violence and hatred can solve problems when you haven’t been exposed to the very worst things it drives humans to do to each other. I will always choose to hope for a peaceful solution, but not out of naïveté. Out of love for my country, and for its people.