My mother had the “talk” with me when I became a teenager and I unfortunately had to have the talk with my son and daughters as well. Had to explain that they should not do “stupid” things anyway but make no mistake, unlike their white friends, they would not be given a “chance”
To just make a teenage mistake if they were stopped..and worse, they would likely confront a situation where they have done nothing wrong except being the “wrong” color of skin and need to make sure they did their very best to follow rules, commands, no sudden movements, hands
Visible at all times, be extra polite, speak slowly and deliberately, annunciate and even then it might not be enough..they have to know their rights and also know in many situations it won’t do them any good...that they, despite what our Constitution claims,
In many instances they will be considered/assumed guilty until it can be proven otherwise..that their education, address, what their parents have accomplished will mean nothing (not that it should) - that they can’t take any refuge in anything as they will be solely and
Ultimately by the color of their skin not their abilities, their accomplishments, how good a person they are, their volunteer work, their faith, in that instant none of that is knowable whereas the color of their skin will be obvious to all..that this is not the America we want,
For which our family has sacrificed in so many ways in blood, sweat and tears for hundreds of years..that our race will inevitably be weaponized against us at some juncture in our lives and we still must abide by our part of the greater social
Contract and be “thankful” that things have “gotten better”..I mean we had an African American president right?
I now understand the fear my mother, and all mothers of children of color, felt each and every time I would venture out to do typical teenage things with my friends
I now understand the fear my mother, and all mothers of children of color, felt each and every time I would venture out to do typical teenage things with my friends
The terror so well articulated by the Mayor of Atlanta @keishabottoms so articulately stated - the abject fear that despite all of our hard work; all of the “advances” we’ve made; it just perhaps one day, one night, one minute, one second just won’t matter - because perhaps the
Person running us down because we “look” suspicious or the woman calling the police because she feels “threatened” or the cop who stops us - won’t care; won’t take the time to figure things out; will instinctively act and make us pay the ultimate price..I am eternally grateful
For having had the opportunities I have had in the greatest country on earth; opportunities I and my forefathers and mothers worked hard to provide to build me up despite these challenges - but I AM TIRED - tired of the extra burden we all carry because of other people; tired of
Being told not to play victim when many of the victimizers do so with such ease and abandon and tired of worrying each and every time my child steps out of my house - not just regular worry but Parent of Child of Color Worry #TIRED #FEDUP# #ITSNOTMEITSYOU
