Acknowledge the truth...While I do not dwell on bias/preferences/stereotypes, they honestly affect my life, just as they affect my children. My son was pulled over at 14 while walking with his friend to be asked a couple of questions, as a mother of a black male, it is the scariest thing to hear that u have had an encounter with the police. Our sons must be taught lessons some mothers will never have to instill, just as our parents before told their male children, just as our grandparents told theirs, some parents will never have to tell their sons always show ur hands, always ask permission if identification is requested, always be polite despite what they say or do, even if what they say or do is demeaning, or derogatory, or disrespectful. Some mothers are privelaged enough to tell their children you have rights, you do not have to take that, if the cop is being a d*&k, u make sure u ask for his name and badge number. Although we will attempt to file reports,(as I have in the past to no avail), although we will try to subtly get the officers name, (too obvious will just piss him off), although we want to yell and scream and tell them how unjust their questioning is because ..he is 14, because he is a good kid who makes good grades, because he just wants to be with his friends before his curfew of 9pm, because his mother has prayed over his comings and his goings, because he is human... but he must keep quiet, he must minimize so others can maximize, he can not be strong, or have an opinion about his rights being violated, he can not because speaking a singular perceived word of impertinence may have him murdered in self defense, and honestly, in all actuality, he just wants to make it back home safely just like ur kid, this may not be the story of every witnessed cop to black male encounter, but my God it happens more than it should...#StartTheConversation #WeMustStopSeeingColor #PeopleAreTired #PrayingForAmerica
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 06:27:22 +0000