My cousin posted this and like myself has a variety of races as friends, some who just don’t get it, but want to.

Due to recent events, my wife was asked by a friend of ours what it is that we as black people want. They wanted a defined list of "what we want." I feel like my response to our friend deserves to be seen. Out of respect, I have ensured that our friends privacy is assured by removing the name reference.

The following is my response to the question:

I'll be happy to provide you with a list of things that sadly, should not really even be a list of things that we want, but should be normal and available to all.

Like you, we would like access to better job opportunities and not be discriminated against. We all need to make livable wages and be able properly contribute to society. Without this, some of us are forced to to live with very little, via government assistance or try to survive by whatever means we can.

Like you, we would like to be treated with respect and not feared simply because they told you that we are dangerous.

Like you, we would like to have access to better quality education so that our chances of getting better job opportunities becomes reality. Without adequate funding, the schools we go to cannot compete and the quality of the education will suffer.

Like you, we would like to be able to live in great neighborhoods where we can raise our children to become responsible adults. This is related to the job and education points. Even with said, obtaining a home is very unlikely for us. Why? Because most real estate agents are weary of selling a home to a black family for fear that they will make the neighborhood undesirable for other buyers.

Like you, we would like to be able to drive a nice car without being suspected of stealing said car and being pulled over by the police and asked to show license and registration.

Like you, we would like to know that we are safe and not be shot when asked to get our license from our wallet or reach into the glove compartment to get the registration. Even when we comply with law enforcement, we could still lose our lives, just like Mr. Floyd did (may he rest in peace).

Like you, we would like to know that we will not be pulled out of our cars, cuffed and made to sit down while our cars are thoroughly searched for items simply because we "fit the description". It's a pretty humiliating situation to be in. I can tell you that from experience.

Like you, we would like to be able to walk down the street or any neighborhood without being suspected of preparing to cause harm or trouble and have the police called on us. As you know, police interactions may turn out deadly for us if the wrong set of officers are deployed to the scene. Alternatively, we would like to know that we will not be chased down by vigilantes with weapons and killed for suspicion of being criminals because we are black while in their neighborhood.

Like you, we would like to be able to shop at a store without being followed around by security and suspected of preparing to commit a crime. When I go shopping anywhere I need to be on better behavior that anyone else around me so that I don't draw unnecessary attention to myself and have an interaction with security or whoever.

Like you, we would like to not have the police weaponized against us simply because someone does not like that we are in their area. Threats made to have the police called on us and then lying to the police so that they can come and do their worst is pretty bad. But, as you know, this happens a lot.

Like you, as a parent, I would like to know that my child is safe and that if he is not he can count on contacting the police to assist him. I should not have to teach my kid the rules to a safe interaction with the police. I should not have to teach him how he can survive during a "routine" traffic stop. I should not have to teach him not to argue with our question the officer even when he has done nothing wrong. I should not have to teach him to have a photo of his license and registration on his cellphone to have his phone visible so that when asked, he can show that he is getting his PHONE, not a weapon, which has all the information on it. I should not have to teach him that some police will try to hurt you simply because you do not look white. I should not have to teach him that some people out there will try hard to stop you from achieving you goals to live a prosperous life so push hard and step around them to achieve them. I should not have to teach him that you will be judged harshly because your hair is not straight and your skin is a little darker. I should not have to warn him that some people will insult him for simply being who he is but to not pay attention to it. I literally should not have to teach him any of this but the reality of our situation states otherwise.

Have I painted a pretty clear picture for you?

Like you, Erin Malone was not aware of any of these things that my friend and I told her about. Like you, she was a little dismissive and felt that these things could not be true. Unlike you, she got to experience them with me first hand. She is no longer in doubt.

There is so much more but this will turn into a novel so in the end I will say this:

Like you, we would like to be treated just like you.