John -- 

We understand that the last few days have been hard. Watching the videos and hearing the stories bring up traumatic memories for many people of color. The fear in Army Lt. Caron Nazario’s eyes is familiar to many. The fear Daunte Wright experienced is something families of color know too much about.

These events are not random or flukes. The daily violence Black people face in this country is daunting and deliberate. Suppressing the political power of Black people is also deliberate. These many forms of oppression were designed by leaders in a white supremacist system over centuries, and while we have continued to chisel away at these oppressions, there is so much work to be done.

This country has failed to live up to the promises outlined in our Constitution -- especially for Black and brown Americans. But we believe we can do better. So we continue to advocate for the right to vote and speak out to prevent another unarmed Black man from being killed. We believe in the unique promise that all are created equal and deserving of our freedom.

So I keep Coach Doc Rivers' words in my mind: “We keep loving this country and this country doesn’t love us back.”

Thank you for reading my message,
Carlos Chaverst
Communications Director, Vote From Home