I’ve been told “you people steal. one of you did it- bring me my paddle” (principal later prosecuted for beating black kids), “get off this street nigger” (random drivers), “don’t waste your time or mine taking exams for schools you’ll never get into” (guidance councilor),

“kids from your neighborhood would ruin our school” (teacher), “how could MIT accept someone as lazy as you” (teacher), “rich people come in here all the time and don’t want to see people like you” (mall security), “I’m sorry you look like you work here” (hotel patron, year 2019)

This is my story, or some of it. (Don’t even get me started on #MeToo ). I am one of the most socially privileged Black people I know, so I get less of this than typical and it’s still A LOT. Most black people are attacked much more frequently than I have been.

I want to make sure as we address police reform we don’t lose sight of reality. Police have guns and can take our liberty so it’s urgent. But Black people are under attack by institutions all around us. If you don’t see it, its because our experience is invisible to you. Ask why.

Targeting black people isn’t only a police problem. It’s insidious in our institutions statewide and nationally. It holds us ALL back. Anti-racism is about freedom—true liberty and justice FOR ALL. It’s about acknowledgment and taking responsibility. It is the revolution we need.