Why should I have to tell my sons to respect the police?
My sons are both military veterans, the oldest having serving in the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan and the younger in the U.S. Army in Iraq. Both served during wartime campaigns.
I am certain my oldest son would respect the police and would comply with any instructions given, provoked or not. I worry about my younger son because he is a bit more spirited and may be more confrontational with authority he deems misplaced. I am more concerned than ever about their safety in interacting with the police as well as in some black communities across the country.
As a black parent, I have always told my sons to avoid confrontation with police officers, respect authority and know their own rights. Recent prominent cases have increased my concern about their safety, if they were to encounter a police officer.
… But this issue is broader than just focusing on the actions of the police. We need to examine the conditions in black communities that create climates where these situations are more likely to occur. We need to understand the social, economic and political context in which poverty in black communities is perpetuated. We need to understand why black males are perceived as threatening and intimidating. We need a system that ensures the rights and liberties of all citizens are not infringed upon by anyone, including the police.
Read the entire column at UCF Forum or the HuffPost Blog
Stirring Up Trouble by DrVLoLil 
Interesting post. I live in a country awash with economic disparities far greater than America has ever seen or experienced. The education system is sorely lacking and grossly underfunded. Unemployment is rampart and even those with a college education seldom find gainful employment; often forced to work for $10.00 per day at a kiosk in the mall. Moreover, institutionalized racism can be overtly detected when traveling a few hundred miles into an area where the language and culture norms are different.
What I find so interesting is that riotous confrontations between citizens and law enforcement are basically non-existent. Public demonstrations here are quite common. Every time there is a rate increase in goods and services…people demonstrate. When a particular political dynasty looses an election…people demonstrate. But they do not set fire to businesses nor engage in looting. And yes, law enforcement officers here also have used deadly force.
Only in those areas were Muslims are seeking to carve out an autonomous region in a predominately Christian nation (95% professing to be Christians) do we see conflict. In those instances the military is brought in to prevent any further violent acts.
I have spoken to many parents about the recent issues that have occurred in America and they are at a loss why anyone would not heed the warnings and/or instructions of an authority that is placed over them.
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Thank you for sharing. I love hearing about other cultures. I did a study abroad in Seoul, South Korea. I only wish I had understood the value of learning about other cultures earlier in my collegiate career. Nevertheless, I am committed to learning and growing.
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The way forward is a gigantic task, but conversation is a beginning. I do hope that one day, you won’t have to worry about your sons, or their sons, being treated differently.
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I think the best thing you did as a parent was to teach and explain to your sons that you need to respect law enforcement and also don’t do anything that would get you into a confrontation with law enforcement. I think that is a huge issue that many of today’s kids and young adults don’t have that guidance that can help them in this crazy world we live in. If your son was speeding and got stopped would he run or mouth off? No, he would do as the officer said. Black, white, purple, what ever race it shouldn’t matter who you are. This world would be a better place if we just respect for law enforcement and each other. I don’t like how race is thrown around so much lately. I am a white woman so maybe I don’t understand the real struggles. I have many close friends who are black and first of all I don’t look at them any different. We all bleed red. I just don’t understand why with all these riots that they couldn’t see the victim of police brutality wasn’t respectful or didn’t follow the law. I believe the media is the ones who are keeping racism alive and well today. Just think if we stopped watching the news….would it help?
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