I have never felt more nervous to write about anything in my life. It’s hard to navigate and express these feelings, because they can feel clumsy, foolish, and incomplete, especially on social media. But I’ve never felt more compelled to fight through those feelings because being silent is not an option in a time where we’re witnessing the ethnic cleansing of a group of people on a very public stage with impunity. I’m hoping without the limitations of social media, my thoughts here can be more complete and hopefully make sense.

I want to preface what I’m about to write with the fact that I am still reading and understanding the intricacies of the history of the region and that I am always open to evolving and learning more. I don’t mean to offend or alienate anyone with what I’m about to write, and if you’re feeling like maybe now is not the time to read this, please take some time for yourself. I’m also fully aware that I’m quite privileged to be able to write this and from where I’m writing this.