"You can't continue to say, 'Okay, well, I fell over this bump because I didn't step high enough...' The problem is the bump."

John Gladden, Kensington community member

Editor’s note: The responses have been edited for clarity and conciseness.

What do you think of everything that’s going on in the neighborhood and the protests? 

So many people of color are dying at the hands of the police. So much so that people consider this political unrest but really this is the have-nots attempting to voice an opinion. If not [through protest], then their voices would be completely unheard. 

What outcome(s) from these protests do you hope to see in your community?

People can look at situations differently. It’s not by coincidence that all these people of color are dying at the hands of the police. You can’t continue to say, “Okay, well, I fell over this bump because I didn’t step high enough.” How many times do you have to try to step over that bump before you figure that out? The problem is the bump. 

What are the issues that you would like the Kenney administration, city council, and the rest of city government to focus on in the upcoming budget to help your community?

Education. What they’re teaching is not helpful. My child comes out of high school and doesn’t know how to do taxes. Teach them the things that they need in order to get by in their everyday life.

To read more community responses, click here.

What did you think about this story? Send a note to editors@kensingtonvoice.com, and we’ll consider publishing it in our Voices section. You can also tell us what you think in person at our neighborhood events.