Mackenzie Dern talks about demonstrations in the US: 'I don't understand how racism still exists in 2020'

The Brazilian-American fighter, Mackenzie dern, took a stance on the wave of protests taking place in the United States following the death of security guard George Floyd, killed by a police officer at the end of May. Amid the backdrop of demonstrations in several North American cities, the athlete stated that she agrees with the acts, but asked for calm from a certain group that has been acting violently. The statement was made in an interview with SUPER FIGHTS on your YouTube channel.

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“This phase that we are going through of bringing everyone together, of educating people, is very important. I can’t see how racism exists today, in 2020,” said the athlete.

Mackenzie, however, stated that demonstrations should take place, but disagrees that the use of violence is necessary. In some cities, several establishments were violated by members of the actions, which resulted in a police response, causing a confrontation between the parties.

“Here in the United States, people seem to be losing track of everything. She's being aggressive, raiding businesses owned by people who probably don't support racism either. It's looking like a war. We are sad to reach this level. It feels like it’s losing focus a little bit,” she explained.

Mackenzie felt firsthand how racism is present within society. The fighter is married to surfer Wesley Santos and, last year, she ended up witnessing a regrettable episode, when her husband – a black man – was approached by a woman on a beach in California (USA), who was 'stranged' by the fact that him being with his daughter, a white child. If that wasn't enough, the police were called to investigate the incident at the scene.

“My husband suffers from this (racism) every day. Many days I see people treat me one way and treat him completely differently. The situation could have gotten much worse if we didn't have a little more control over the situation we experienced on the beach, which comes with police and everything just because we are of a different color”, reported Dern.

 

View this photo on Instagram

 

The most beautiful smile, the most positive vibe, a simple, humble, hardworking and a little crazy man! Haha It's your day Bebe! Thank you for being such a wonderful husband and father! I hope your year is full of laughter, stories to tell, learning, and blessings! Let's celebrate a lot!! I love you so much!

A publication shared by Mackenzie Dern 🇺🇸🇧🇷 (@mackenziedern) on 28 from Apr, 2020 to 10: 41 PDT

The Brazilian-American understands that combating racism is the duty of all citizens and, in the end, asked that everything be expressed with peace.

“We are happy to be part of this. I know I do my part in trying to stop racism, so does my husband and so does my family. This is crazy. We just want to pray that everyone calms down a little, because attacking others is not being cool. It is going in the opposite direction of what was the focus”, he concluded.

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