I have a ten-year old grandson here in Georgia that will have to learn the “Black Man Code”.
His eight and six-year old brothers will need to be informed as well.
Alan Colmes’ LiberalLand
Associated Press writer Jesse Washingtonhad a talk with his 12-year-old boy, just as Bill Stephney talked to his son, Trevor (pictured).
As I explained it, the Code goes like this:
Always pay close attention to your surroundings, son, especially if you are in an affluent neighborhood where black folks are few. Understand that even though you are not a criminal, some people might assume you are, especially if you are wearing certain clothes.
Never argue with police, but protect your dignity and take pride in humility. When confronted by someone with a badge or a gun, do not flee, fight, or put your hands anywhere other than up.
Please don’t assume, son, that all white people view you as a threat. America is better than that. Suspicion and bitterness can imprison you. But as a black male, you must go above and beyond to show strangers what type of person you really are.
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This type of story breaks my heart-I hope that young boy does not think that all “white” people, or any person of heritage or color, are so disgustingly racist. I do understand, however, what the father is trying to communicate to his son-but please dont call it the black male code!! Every father should have this talk with their son, no matter what race they are. Sadly, there are stereotypes of every race-and there is nothing wrong with educating your young son by having a heart-to-heart with him, and making him aware of these,for his ‘protection”. Some people have not learned that just because you have a couple of people out of one race do bad things, that dosent mean that the whole race is like that. And it sucks that all of us good people in the world have to get stereotyped because of a few stupid people, that just happened to be of a certian race, did stupid things, and now we all have to defend ourselves on a daily basis from being “labeled”. But it stretches further than that-I have seen, with my own eyes, people in a park, gawk at a group of white, early thirties somthing, that had brought their own children to play, they just happened to be covered head-to-toe with tattoos, and multiple piercings. These people “grabbed” their children, and moved completely to the other side of the park, as this other group of people were playing with their children on the swings, which was right next to the “merry go round” where they had been. I so hoped that this group of people and their children did not notice the obvious voices saying, ” lets go-now”, or the disaproving looks aimed at their unknowing, carefree personas. I was so embarrassed, that people would act that way, and angry, and hurt, all at the same time. I have been among friends, while shopping in a downtown area, we had to park our cars a bit away. Hours pass, and as all of us head back to our cars, the “scenery has changed”. I knew this, because two of our friends were gay, and when they suddenly stopped holding hands, started walking more briskly-head down, as if ” minding our own buisness”-then, I, too, was part of a situation where i was being ‘stereotyped”-I was also a target. As we all hurried through the underpass-voices hurled hurtful words, taunts, names. It dawned on me, how awful people could truly be. It was so saddening. And that, yes, you do stand up for yourself, but, there are times when you dont. It was almost a “submissive role” that was taken on-looking down at the ground, as if in shame, and it made me sick that we all had to do this,and do it in fear. Suddenly, as we emerged from the underpass, there was another group of people standing there. ” We saw what was going on, and we were waitng to make sure you guys made it through.” It dawned on me, how truly wonderful and caring people could be. So, I hope that young man understands, as well as everyone else, we all need to watch out for those people and situations that could cause us harm, however wrong and unfair it is; and the rest of us need to look out for one another, and stick together.