I don't know you.

I don't know you. I haven't seen what you have seen, or felt what you have felt. I have never been ostracized based solely on my genetics. My body has never crumpled under someone else's force. My skin has never been bruised by rubber bullets and my lungs have never filled with tear gas. I have never been a suspect in a crime that hasn't been committed. I've never stared someone down, and I've never stood up. I don't know you. My heart has never raced from fear.

But my heart has raced from love. I have embraced compassion and empathy. My body has raised people up through sheer force. My skin has deflected different pains that leave similar scars, and my lungs have filled with the breath to speak the truth. I believe you when you educate me about what needs to change. I am neither complicit, nor appropriating. I am neither passive nor aggressive. I am just here. If you need someone to share what you felt, to marvel at what you have seen, I will. 

I don't know you.

But I could.