There are some people in this world who are just so good—straight down to their core—that when they take a stance on something, you stop what you are doing and listen.

Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York is one of those people.

He is arguably one of the most unwavering and unabashed proponents of allowing others to speak their individual truth alive today, so much so that until a few minutes ago, I actually didn’t even know his name. His photos and the stories that accompany them are not for him, or his success, or his own satisfaction. They are for the good of truth, and for giving a voice to those who might not otherwise feel they have one.

He doesn’t try to silence anyone or ignore topics that are uncomfortable. He doesn’t encourage political correctness or shy away from stories that are controversial. And I’ve never once seen him project his own opinion onto another’s truth.

So, when I saw his “Open Letter to Donald Trump” show up on my Instagram feed, I stopped. I read. I stared. I read again. And then one more time.

After keeping quiet on Trump myself for the last few months—aside from the occasional dinner-table rant with people I already know feel the same way—this line hit me right in the gut:

“…I realize now that there is no correct time to oppose violence and prejudice. The time is always now.”

I’ll just let the rest of this letter speak for itself—and I hope it will inspire you to speak for yourself in support of what is right, and in opposition to what is not, now and everyday.

Author: Emily Bartran

Photo: Matt Brown/Flickr