I don’t consume any news until noon each day—you need some time and space for yourself, ya know? You can’t just be deep in everything constantly, it’s stressful and unhealthy.

But looking through Twitter and Facebook today, it really seems like we are turning a corner with the ongoing civil action. I’ve seen so many videos of peaceful protesting, of police officers joining citizens in solidarity against police brutality, of protestors preventing the looting of stores and talking down violence-inclined supporters. We are making progress.

It serves as a reminder that things don’t happen instantly. A week ago, there was this great debate about the nature of the protests, because of the rioting and looting. From my perspective, it looks like that debate is no longer necessary. That’s because more time has passed. The opportunists and harbingers of destruction are few and far between. They always were, but as the protests have become more normalized and organized, it has become all the more obvious. Things take time.

Criminal Justice reform will take time. Laws will not be passed immediately—they need to be drafted and critically discussed and voted upon. Police training takes time to impart on officers. People’s way of thinking about systemic and institutionalized racism will change slowly. That’s why this movement needs to be sustained. I have every confidence it will be, because people are angry.

That anger is justified. Let’s channel it toward ensuring a better future for all of us. Let’s craft a future in which everyone is treated with respect and kindness. Let’s build a future in which Black Lives Matter.