Dear Surge Family, 

We shouldn’t be seeing these images – photos and videos of the final moments of people losing their lives. In broad daylight. In our streets. And at the hands of those who are sworn to uphold the rule of law. Not to serve as judge, jury, and executioner.

We shouldn’t be watching this. Because we know that witnessing horrific acts causes trauma. But just about everything that happens these days gets caught on camera. (And there would be no hope for justice without the footage.)

We shouldn’t be seeing this. Because these things shouldn’t be happening. Yet, they continue to occur. 

We wanted to believe that 2020 drew a line in the sand. Only to realize a few years later that it was quicksand. 

Things have gone back to how they were before. Seemingly worse now, at times. 

When we unlock our screens, wherever we log on, the platform serves us the latest scenes of injustice. Because the algorithm knows we’ve seen this before. 

But after what we’ve seen in Minneapolis – in 2020 and in 2026 – and in cities throughout this country, we must finally decide to look away. 

Look away, then find a way. 

Find a way to support those who are hurting. 

Find a way to be brave for those who are afraid. 

Find a way to not give up.

Find a way to recommit to justice. 

Find a way to recommit to liberation. 

On the morning of MLK Day, just last week, a few of us at Surge were huddling virtually. I wish I could say it was because we were discussing Dr. King’s ideals. Instead, we were discussing the barrage of disparaging comments one of our social media accounts had encountered overnight. More than two dozen inflammatory comments were made by individuals to a post that was no different from the content we usually share on Surge’s channels, highlighting our programs, initiatives, and events. As we leapt into action to remediate the situation, we also had the realization that we haven’t experienced this before on Surge’s social media. 

We'd decided to look away, then find a way to continue to uplift our communities.

That's what we ask you to do. Not turn away from the struggles or inhumanity, but protect yourself from the trauma of endless consumption. To channel your rage into resolve. 

Make no mistake about it: This is hard. But we are not alone in this fight, and we will not surrender the future to despair.

Please take care of yourselves and each other.
‍

In love & solidarity,
Will Collins

‍