Black Lives Matter.

#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd is a call for our humanity to stand up and speak. ENOUGH!

I am not willing to live in a world where one man can take another man’s life by squeezing his last breath with his knee. I am not willing to leave this world to my kids.

Our collective humanity had been violated. The blatant violation of basic human rights is haunting. We have seen it before in the US, in Nazi Germany, in Bosnia, in Somalia.

One of my favorite quotes from MLK is, “Darkness can not drive out darkness, only love can do that. Hate can not drive out hate, only love can do that.”

This is a call for all of us to do whatever is necessary to be certain this never happens again. I am convinced that many police are good humans that would put their lives on the line to protect all civilians. But the systems in place must change.

Evil players should be expunged so that the unfair treatment of Black Americans and other people of color is eradicated for good. Black Americans should be able to see police as protection and not a threat to their lives if they make a wrong turn, speed up or go for a jog. Black Americans should have better access to quality education and employment opportunities. Black voices should be represented and amplified in the media, in the workplace and in the products we design.

As a Venture Capitalist, I have the opportunity to use my privilege to make a difference. I am convinced that businesses and technologies exist that consistently shed light on the current madness and consistently bring prosperity into our Black and Hispanic communities.

To support and elevate the trajectories of these businesses is just. It is time. It is also good business. As Oprah has said before, “Excellence is the best deterrent from racism and sexism.”

If your business is working to end police brutality or systemic racism, we at Sputnik ATX want to hear from you.

Thank you.