For far too long I have kept silent. I have not attempted to understand the perspective of POC and the impact that systemic racism has had on their lives. As a white man it has seemed so distant to me. Thoughts like, ‘this can’t be real’, or ‘this is not a widespread issue’ have helped me justify not examining my own heart, thinking, and ingrained prejudice. The idea that growing up in a white, middle class family in a rural mountain town wouldn’t in some way have shaped my views, felt intimidating to explore. I felt like learning about my prejudiced thinking would somehow make me less of a good person.