I didn’t leave my house yesterday. Heck I barely got out of bed.

I tend to absorb the emotions of those around me. And what I’ve been feeling over the past week has not been good.

So when I went for a walk today, I saw the streets of San Francisco through a different lens. Sure, after the weekend’s riots, there were even more boarded up windows, more broken glass and spray-painted anthems but there was also a feeling of defiance, of compassion and yes, the fear of not knowing what is going to come next.

I am not skilled enough to pen something poetic and meaningful but I can describe for you something I saw today. On Market Street I saw a car jam-packed with young African-American girls. As I watched, one of them climbed out of the window so she was sitting on the front passenger side door. She was beautiful as she straightened her arm and thrust her fist into the air. The driver leaned on the horn and suddenly everyone was turning towards them. Slowly, people on either side of the street raised their fists and other cars started to sound their horns in support.

How do we prolong these moments of awareness and community? How do we once and for all start tearing down the racist legacy upon which this country is built? How do we invest in building a country that is truly inclusive no matter the color of your skin or your zip code?

The election this Fall (www.Vote.org) is certainly one way but there’s no reason to wait until then. Leave a comment below with your ideas.