One more brown body
shot
and I think of all the lessons I never
taught
my son like
avoid the police at all costs
dress nice
and don’t wear red or blue or any color that they might think means you’re in a gang
keep your hands at your sides in the store
so they know you’re not stealing
or packing
or preparing to throw a punch
and if they accuse you of stealing
or packing
or preparing to throw a punch
anyway
say “sir” and “m’am”
and keep your head down.
I have not taught these things to my son.
And not once
have I thought to give him the script
that should have saved Michael Brown’s life
but didn’t.
Never have I said,
“Son,
when they take aim at your beautiful body
you must
spread your fingers,
raise your arms
and say
clear as day
‘I do not have a gun.'”
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Joanna, maimi link to your post at RevGals today? We have a Pastoral is Political about Michael Brown, and I want to point readers to other blogposts as well.
Of course, Martha. Thank you.
Joanna, you have an uncanny ability to say what my heart feels. Thank you.
Thanks for your comment Julie. I know there are many parents grieving right now.
I actually had this discussion with my 19 year old son this morning as we ran errands getting him ready for another semester of college. We are white, so I have had the privilege of never having this conversation before this.
I am a bit embarrassed that my white son is 17 and I had never really thought much before about all of the things I did not have to teach him.
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