The Other Talk
Later that day, my parents sat me down. I thought they were about to have the “talk” with me, but I was wrong.
“Son we need to talk.” said my Dad.
“Honey, you’ve seen what’s been happening with all the black shootings right?” said my Mom.
“Yes I have.” I said.
“We need to let you know that you’re a target.” said my Mom.
“What do you mean?” I said.
“You are a target to the police because of the color of your skin and your race. We need to talk about why you should obey us and the police at all times because your LIFE depends on it.” said my Dad.
“You are a young black man which means you have to exceed expectations in everything. Behavior, academics, and anything else because the system is made for you to lose. The system doesn’t want you to win at anything. It is designed for you to lose.” said my Mom.
“I always thought police were good people.” I said.
“Some police are good. Most are. But some are not and those are the ones you need to be prepared for. We aren’t saying that you’ll get in trouble with the police but just in case you have an encounter with a bad policeman, this is what you need to do.” said my Mom.
“If you’re in the car and a policeman pulls you over, do exactly what he says and do it when he says it. If you have a gun at the time make sure you tell him you have it with and that you have a gun license. Keep your hands on the wheel where he can see them and don’t to anything that provokes him or makes him think you’re doing wrong.” said my Dad.
“We need to make sure you know how to handle situations like this when you get older if it happens because it’s really important that you understand that your life depends on whether or not you obey and comply with the police.” said Mom.
“I understand why I should listen to them now.” I said.
“Good. Now don’t forget what we just told you for the future.” said Dad.
“You can go back to playing your game or watching tv or whatever you were doing.” said Mom.
“Son we need to talk.” said my Dad.
“Honey, you’ve seen what’s been happening with all the black shootings right?” said my Mom.
“Yes I have.” I said.
“We need to let you know that you’re a target.” said my Mom.
“What do you mean?” I said.
“You are a target to the police because of the color of your skin and your race. We need to talk about why you should obey us and the police at all times because your LIFE depends on it.” said my Dad.
“You are a young black man which means you have to exceed expectations in everything. Behavior, academics, and anything else because the system is made for you to lose. The system doesn’t want you to win at anything. It is designed for you to lose.” said my Mom.
“I always thought police were good people.” I said.
“Some police are good. Most are. But some are not and those are the ones you need to be prepared for. We aren’t saying that you’ll get in trouble with the police but just in case you have an encounter with a bad policeman, this is what you need to do.” said my Mom.
“If you’re in the car and a policeman pulls you over, do exactly what he says and do it when he says it. If you have a gun at the time make sure you tell him you have it with and that you have a gun license. Keep your hands on the wheel where he can see them and don’t to anything that provokes him or makes him think you’re doing wrong.” said my Dad.
“We need to make sure you know how to handle situations like this when you get older if it happens because it’s really important that you understand that your life depends on whether or not you obey and comply with the police.” said Mom.
“I understand why I should listen to them now.” I said.
“Good. Now don’t forget what we just told you for the future.” said Dad.
“You can go back to playing your game or watching tv or whatever you were doing.” said Mom.