Praise for Jason St. Julien

Re: “Do I have your heart? Are you in?” June 21 guest commentary

Technically, Jason St. Julien is my opposite. For one, he’s a federal prosecutor, while I am an assistant federal public defender. (Mr. St. Julien is an effective and passionate advocate for the United States, the kind of prosecutor for whom I have the greatest respect even though I oppose them.)

We’re opposites, too, in that he is Black and I am white. We come from different generations, and much different backgrounds. The experiences Mr. St. Julien shares, and the lasting pain those experiences have caused, I have never had to deal with. Ever.

While he calls this frustrating, it is much more than that. It is shameful.

The shame is on all of us who have walked our lives in white privilege. Jason St. Julien speaks what is true. Like most important truths, it is uncomfortable to hear, but it must be spoken, and we must listen.

At the end of his piece, there is a disclaimer about how Mr. St. Julien’s views are not necessarily those of the Department of Justice. If they are not, they should be.

Rick Williamson, Centennial

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As a former Federal Law Enforcement Officer who worked many criminal prosecution cases with assistant United States attorneys during my 22 year career in Denver, I’d like to thank AUSA Jason St. Julien for his bravery and eloquence in confronting historic racism in our society.

I’ve witnessed many incidents of racism in and out of my career. I’ve been the target of racism but never to the extreme that I’ve witnessed against my fellow Black brothers. Many times I’ve confronted the individual perpetuating this racism only to be met with shock, as if no one has ever confronted them for their behavior.

I encourage all of us to stand against this behavior by speaking up and standing with AUSA Jason St. Julien.

Michael Herrera, Broomfield