I do however, understand why you are angry and frustrated at the state of affairs in the United States. I, too, feel exactly the same way. I am old enough to have lived through some God-awful historical periods. I remember the race riots in the early 60’s, I was 8 years old and profoundly upset over the abhorrent treatment Black people received at the hands of hateful whites. I cried when Martin Luther King was assassinated by a white man in 1968, and wondered what we were coming to as a country. There were numerous instances in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, too many to count, of macro and micro-aggressions launched at Black people. I know that there were roadblocks and brick walls being thrown at your community constantly.

Some Black people could actually catch a break by the skin of their teeth, but most could not. I could see why many in the Black communities turned to dealing drugs. they desperately needed money. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Bad choices come into play, I can honestly say I’ve made many bad choices in my own life. I do know what its like to be hungry and broke.

As an uninformed white person, I thought things were improving for everyone when Barack Obama was first elected in 2008. I really thought a new and wonderful age had dawned. Sadly, I was wrong. Immediately after Trump got elected, and even shortly before, the handwriting was on the wall, in giant neon letters. Hate was on the rise and here to stay. I was sickened, to say the least. Charlottesville came along in the most horrific way. Breonna Taylor, Armand Arbery, Geoge Floyd were all murdered in cold blood. Countless others joined the list, all because they were Black and just had the bad fortune to be in the wrong place at the wrong time…but they had EVERY RIGHT to be where they were…they were doing NOTHING WRONG and they still were killed.

Eugenio, I do agree with a lot of what you said, and maybe you won’t care about my opinion, or you might think I have no right to an opinion because I’m not Black, but I hope you will just give what I say some thought. You no doubt have heard of Louis Farrakhan. I have read his ideas. He, too, held the belief that Black America should secede from White America and have their own companies, corporations, banks, etc. Their own products, whether it be personal care, food, and so on. That doesn’t sound so bad… until, you realize, we do need each other. This country of ours was founded on the very notion that we are a melting pot of colors, races, creeds, religions, everything. We ALL have the right to be here and the pursuit of happiness, which I realize sounds very glib coming from a white lady. But Eugenio, you are part of this country. I know your ancestors came here against their will, and they were treated horrendously. But you are here now, and you are a well spoken man, and you have a lot to offer your community. I don’t know how old you are, but I’m guessing you are younger than I am…and in that case, you have a lot more years ahead of you to make a positive difference for yourself and your community.

I support Black-owned businesses. I want them all to have success. I want YOU to succeed, Eugenio. Don’t give up. I understand where your anger is coming from. I, too, was an extremely angry young woman in years past. I’m still angry, but I try to make something positive out of it. I sincerely wish nothing but the best for you. I hope you know that there are a lot of people out there who are disgusted by what’s going on in our country just like I am. I know I only touched on a very few points. There are so many more. But please hang in there.