Black lives matter, and should to us all

I am not the “radical left” that Donald rails about. But, I am an average, 72-year-old white woman who thinks that Black lives matter.

I don't fear for my life whenever I'm stopped by a police officer. I don't fear that my children may die at the hands of a police officer or be demeaned in the process. I don't worry about wearing a dark hoodie or face covering whenever I go outside. And, I don't have to teach my children about those things.

I don't have to walk in my city's public areas and see large, looming symbols every day that remind me of terrible atrocities committed on my people for hundreds of years.

My goal is not “demolition of democracy.” My goal is for democracy to work, become stronger, and benefit all of us.

Once again it seems pretty simple to me. Black lives matter because they do and for too long they haven't.

— Jennifer Heck, Chico