There's so much I want to say here.

Anxiety and fear as an unaccompanied woman in a low-visibility alley is totally fair. It truly is.

The overwhelming majority of these things - some call them micro-aggression, I have no name - come from lack of awareness and not malice.

I'm not on the hunt for anyone.

And I did not tell this story to shame the Dear Reader. It wasn't all altruism - I was pretty upset. But when I say "hey, you just gave me your problem and then stepped in to help me solve it," what I mean isn't intuitive. This really will take practice.

But on this last point, all due respect, ma'am. I took great pains to pay tribute to a stunning array of people who do the work of the just and the good. I mean that.

But I respectfully disagree - it would hurt.

We're out of time here. And we've been so patient and so affirming and teachers and therapists and a white father and son can leave the safety of their home, hunt down just a normal guy on the street, execute him, provide evidence of their premeditated crime, and be excused for out without ever losing a minute of sleep.

That story I described - does that not sound like 1960? And 1860?

We have taken care of you, and put your comfort at the top of our list. Before we even see to ourselves. And we are still being hunted.

And I cannot look my sons in the eye, ma'am. Cannot look my husband in the eye if I still prioritize others over their lives. Still.

And when you ask me to help comfort you - and I am so very human; I want to do just that. I disparately to.

But it's not working. And whether the killing blow comes from inadvertence or with intent, neither matters to the dead. Please, ma'am - please. Do not ask the dead to step lightly.

We are all human, and on my word, I don't not begrudge of any of us natural and human failings. I hold no anger or hate in my heart.

But there is no one left to fight for our men but us. And if it means what I say will make people uncomfortable, I may go to bed in tears.

But I will make you uncomfortable all the same. I will hurt the feelings of anyone and everyone to save my kin.

You've left us no choice. It is the one thing we have yet to all try en masse.

And if it doesn't work, at least we lose the fight on our feet. Not in a neighborhood on our knees. Not on a sidewalk on our bellies.

On our feet like men and women.

I can live like an animal no longer.

I am sorry.