Stephanie Watkins Cruz

I read articles about how people of color are being systematically killed, discriminated against, treated poorly, living in awful conditions, are being mocked at ignorant parties, aren’t being evenly represented in the media…it bothers me.

A few Saturdays back I was able to experience two sides of Asheville in one night. Usually there's a mix, or usually I just experience one and not the other. Most of you at this point are probably wondering what I am talking about.. I'm talking about the racial divide in Asheville.

You don’t have to be Black to celebrate, and you don’t have to be Black to learn. What you do need is an open mind, and the courage to check your privilege and engage in conversation.