Natalie Taylor: I don't hate police but we all deserve a better justice system

To The Daily Sun,

Some readers believe that supporters of Black Lives Matter "hate" all police officers. I would like to respond, speaking only for myself. Assuming I'm anti-police when condemning police brutality is like assuming I'm anti-parent when speaking out against child abuse.

The scope of this movement is bigger than individual officers or local precincts. Significant changes to the American justice system are necessary, in part due to its historical and intimate relationship with racism. (Fully appreciating this requires independent research and is absolutely worth the time investment.)

Racism is defined as the discrimination and oppression of a group of people due to their race. Our system, built by white people, has the power to oppress black people. White words can lead to black people being fired. And incarcerated. And murdered.

"In order to empathize with someone's experience you must be willing to believe them as they see it and not how you imagine their experience to be." — Brené Brown

We all deserve an improved justice system, structured so police officers and other professionals can serve and protect the community in a way that's safe and equitable for each and every American.

Natalie Taylor

Meredith