I was in second grade, walking home with a pickle, when the news broke: President Kennedy had been assassinated.

Before that moment, the world felt safe. After that moment—it didn’t. Then came Bobby. Then Martin. A generation was shaken awake, and because of it, women like me could open a credit card without a husband’s signature.

I believe we’re at that line again. Hate is loud. Violence is excused. Even online. But here’s the truth: violence is never justified. Not in politics, not on the playground, not anywhere.

This moment has woken me up as an artist. I will paint. I will write. I will create. And I will say it plain: It is not OK.

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