*Video of post below*

To my black and brown friends, I am sorry.

Please forgive me. 
I want to be better.
I want to love better. 
Please forgive me. 

I have been the problem. 

I have turned aside rather than towards.
I have kept silent when I should have spoken up.
I have spoken up when I should have listened up.
I have dismissed the problem to be yours and not mine.
I have been the problem. 

I am sorry. 

No longer do I want to be part of the problem,
but I want to come alongside you and help be part of the solution.
I want to use my voice to spread hope and offer peace and bring unity.
And I know I’ll get this wrong and my words will fall short or land wrong,
but you are teaching me to be better. 

Because I want to do good.

I desire to stand on the side of mercy, peace, justice, and forgiveness.
That’s where Jesus is standing.
And I want to stand with Him.
And I know He is standing with the hurting, oppressed, and marginalized. 
That’s where I want to be.
And standing with Jesus means standing up for mercy, peace, justice, and forgiveness.
So I will.

I have plenty of walls that need breaking down inside my heart, mind, and thinking.
I will do my best to be slow to speak and quick to listen.
I will do my best to be slow to hate and quick to love.
I will do my best to be slow to judge and quick to care.
May we bridge this division with love.
May we stand together with peace.
May we join hand in hand with hope.
May we be the beautiful Kingdom of God together. 

I am ready to be part of the change.

Please forgive me. 

.. .. ..

With hope,

Tanner Olson