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I love you.

I am for you.

And I hurt deeply with you this morning.

This is not the first time I have felt this way, but I realize I might not have been as clear and vocal with you about it before.

Honestly, it’s because I assumed you knew.

I assumed you saw my heart.

I assumed that most people aren’t really that hateful or racist.

And I assumed wrong.

For the first time in my life, I’m a little bit ashamed to be white.

In fact, I’m also horrified that we – as in those of us who call ourselves American – have misunderstood the meaning of freedom of speech and the extent that we are allowed to use it.

What happened in Charlottesville is evil. It is wrong. It is horrific.

And it shouldn’t have been allowed.

I know I must sound naive. And it’s partly why I am sometimes hesitant to say too much on a topic that I worry I don’t know enough about.

But I do know that what I saw reported in Charlottesville crosses so many lines of decency and what’s right.

I saw hatred so blatantly displayed in the name of freedom of speech and I was revolted.

I wasn’t born in this country, so excuse me if I don’t fully understand the concept of freedom, but it seems to me that there are some things that should never be allowed.

Like bullying.

And threatening.

And hatred.

And anger so deep it feels murderous.

Especially when it stems from a position of power.

Again, I may not be the smartest bulb in the package and to some of you, I might even sound a little bit on the late side expressing my disgust over what’s happening to you, my dear black brothers and sisters.

But this is how I feel and I wanted you to know that, to know that you are not alone. That you are not unseen or ignored, and that there are many of us who stand by you completely.

And by the way, yes, I do consider you my brothers and sisters.

See, I believe we are all made in the image of God.

We are all brothers and sisters.

We are alike.

So I repeat from the bottom of my heart:

I love you.

I am for you.

And I hurt deeply with you this morning.

Sincerely,

One who is silent no more.

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