Love Letters

‘OUR DAUGHTERS, OUR LOVE
FROM THE VILLAGE OF BLACK WOMEN IN COLUMBUS, OHIO
TO OUR PRECIOUS DAUGHTERS,

LITTLE SISTERS,

Beautiful Black Girls,
We are sending these letters to you because want you to know that we see you. We see your grief, your pain, your hopes, and your dreams. We love you mere than
you could ever know. We are the hug that will comfort you. We stand guard to hold you up and to give you motivation when you need to be stronger. Daughter, Little
Sister, Beautiful One, you are not alone. We want you to know that your voice matters, your courage matters, and your life matters. If really does.

The taking of the lives of Black girls in our city has broken our hearts. We ate saddened by the response of our city law enforcement, and we are encouraged by the
changes we know will happen on behalf of their lives and yours. The violence that is happening in our neighborhoods and in our society is not normal. We are weary of
the unnecessary killings of our young people. Its not okay, the death of Black girls is our wake-up call that screams for us to unite on many levels. We also need to talk
about the way we solve disagreements without violence but with conversations that lead to healthy resolutions. One way we can triumph with good is for you to share
how you feel and let others know about the pain of confusion you are experiencing. Especially right now.

Many of us grew up in a time when we heard, “If takes a village.” I am sure you have heard that same expression. You are receiving this love letter today because the
voices of your village want you to know that we are surrounding you with love and support

What having this village means is the! Black women in this community have your back. We will not be silent on your behalf anymore. We will speak up for you in all the
places where your lives are held important. You will notice how often we will speak to you when we see you in the mall, on the bus, at Kroger, at McDonald’s, every-
where you are. We will be smiling and greeting you with love. We haven’t always listened to you. We probably gave you more advice than you cared lo hear. We.
want to do better. So, smile back or say hello when we greet you. It will give us encouragement that you aren’t mad that we haven’t done this before! We want to
surround you with love, peace and hope consistently.

OUR LOVE LETTERS