How I’m Feeling – A Personal Reflection From Chris Rollins

For days now, I've been at a loss for words. If you know me or have listened to PST for any length of time, you know that's very unusual for me. I can normally talk to anyone about anything, but, not this time. I struggled, and am still struggling. My emotions are all over the place. I go from angry to sad to scared to optimistic that I can help change the world. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Please don't mistake my silence up until now for not caring. I do care. Again, if you know me you know that I care deeply about all people. I feared that anything I said may be taken the wrong way, because everyone's emotions are so raw, and I couldn't bear to think that I could cause anyone any more hurt. There's been enough hurt. Thinking about it now though, I'm not sure how what I have to say could be taken the wrong way, or cause hurt, because what I have to say is simple. There's nothing I want more in life than for all of us to live in harmony. It seems simple, but I know it's not. I also don't want anyone to have to worry about their safety on a daily basis because of their skin color. It's not right. It's just not right.

George Floyd's murder was absolutely senseless. It should have never happened. I ache for his family. I ache for anyone who feels that could have been them. I ache for the people rioting. I want the violence to stop, although, I understand that it may come from feeling unheard for so long, and I can only imagine how awful that feels. I ache for all the good police officers when a few bad leave a stain. I ache for so many.

My family can tell you that one of the things I say the most is that I just want everyone to be happy. It's the truth. I'm not naive (well, Dave will say I am sometimes). I know there are many tough, uncomfortable conversations to be had, and much work to be done, and it won't be easy, but, I'm ready.

PST is ready. We want to continue to give back the love that the community has given us for so many years. I'm so over hate. It has no place in my world, never has. Let's talk. Let's make the changes that are so desperately needed. We can't go on like this. Kindness matters. Respect matters. We have to do better. We have to.

One of the core principles of 94.5 PST and Townsquare Media is "You Matter." This speaks to our commitment to our employees and our community. On Tuesday, June 2, we stopped regular programming to join with the music industry's #TheShowMustBePaused initiative on Blackout Tuesday. Our staff used the time to reflect upon our feelings and how we plan to be apart of a culture of change. Click here to read more. The above represents some of Chris Rollins' reflections from that day.