As a black woman in this country, in the city that I love being looted and burned down, I feel I can't be silent and yet I genuinely don't know what to say.  

I only like to share if what I say can provide some measure of hope, peace, inspiration, or understanding.  

Every time I start to even think about writing something, I begin to cry. My eyes are puffy from it.  

Sunday morning, I went to the grocery store. My original choice, Trader Joe's, had been looted and was closed. I went to Ralph's. The windows were all boarded up, and there was a huge police presence (it was a Ralph's right next to a police station).  

I wanted to say something to the police officers: "I think the majority of you are good people and doing your best to serve and protect. Thank you for putting your life on the line, and working to restore order." Every time I started to open my mouth, I started to cry. I didn't want to break down in the middle of the store, so I kept quiet...