I have had meltdowns in public, and have been tackled by police (Canada). Bruises, not bullet wounds. I have no doubt that if I were BIPOC, I wouldn't be alive--so many "wellness" checks end in murder. No one should have to be afraid of the people who were supposed to protect us.

The police were never for my protection. Canada is one of the places I know where it’s worse for me to admit I’m indigenous than to speak up about being Black. I wouldn’t dare to meltdown anywhere. I kept my stims and masking to myself and learned to function because I didn’t have a choice.