To the Black and brown citizens of Richmond: What are your local leaders, politicians, entertainers, people of authority doing to address the problems concerning racial, educational, social, economic and other inequalities when it comes to our Black and brown people?

Yes, various bodies want to support Black Lives Matter and they will continue to encourage us to vote. But until Black and brown people learn to come together in larger numbers than what we have, agree on common issues and demand something for our votes, we will never bring about or see the change we seek, plea for and then forget about.

We cannot and will not see change if we are not collectively requesting it. We can find common ground if we all agree on one thing to start with. This is possible with facts, organization, dedication, skill and will. Tackle one area and then move on to something different.

It concerns me that so many people write about, talk about, rap about, make movies about all of the injustices and inequalities, but no one is really looking at why change hasn’t been effective. Or they are scared to talk about it factually because they don’t want to lose their contracts and are afraid the people will come get them.

If you have the power, resources and influence to rally and encourage the right changes, but hide behind your lyrics, masks, costumes and whatever else you use daily or must do to disguise yourself or to hide, that should be all the more reason why you should speak up.

How are all these rappers talking about living a hood life — killing, slinging dope, the cops working for them or against them, political corruption, etc. — but scared to talk facts about the facts?

And I say to our elders who are just sitting in their luxury recliners or living it up at the golf course, traveling and living their best lives, you owe it to our youths and the younger generation to help nurture, educate, preserve and protect us, because if you don’t, then you fail yourself, us and our ancestors. You are partly responsible if we fail to uphold our history and bring about the desired change.

Why not use your time, talents, wisdom, resources and finances to help preserve our communities worldwide?

MEEKA SPARROW

Lynchburg