Star Simpson

Sup tweeps — my feed has been pretty dedicated on #AltonSterling lately, and I know, you came here for electrons and robots and whatnot.

Just want to say this has all been hitting me pretty hard. I, too, was once in the sights of a police officer's gun.

(Several, in fact)

I was 19, California tanned & had this Girl Interrupted short haircut. So the call to the police said that I was a "dark skinned male."

So, hence the American police responded with semi-automatic 9mm machine guns.

I have been very lucky in my life and have had very privileged experiences in my upbringing. Until that moment I had no cause to be afraid.

Just want you all to know I think now it could easily have been me, and that nobody out here is safe from the whims and bias of US police.

I would hope that direct experience is not required for empathy, but I think I would have been pressed to "get" this before it myself.