How The World Works
Growing up there are supposed to major milestones in your life. Some are exciting, some are not wanted, and some are just surprising. Pretty much every since I turned twelve I couldn’t wait to get my hands behind the wheel. I couldn’t wait to cruise down the streets and go to Kroger to pick me up something or go to Starbucks with some friends. To blast the radio loud with my favorite songs and sing from the top of my lungs. I was extremely jealous when I saw my sister get her drivers license and her new car which was a 2006 Kia Amanti in the color jet black. Watching her drive around in that car, traveling with her not specifically going anywhere just driving was purely blissful. However, one day I was just watching television. With my Mom and brother my sister was out some friends. When suddenly she came inside the house full of years in her eyes. My mother jumped up and touched her shoulders she asked my sister frantically of she was hurt. She shook her head no and told my Mom she was pulled over by a cop my Mom then took her upstairs and left me and my brother alone. I couldn’t help but think of why she was so upset the officer pulled her over because she did something wrong right? My Mom came downstairs later and told me my sister was fine and was taking a nap we wonder what was the problem but she just turn up the volume on TV
Some years later it was my turn to learn how to drive my mother took us to my high school’s huge parking lot across the street. I finally had my hands behind the wheel my Mom looked at me and said “Okay ready your first lesson” I smiled and buckle up my seat belt “I’m ready Mom!” she smiled “Okay first lesson is what to do when you get pulled over by the police” I looked at her the excitement completely drained from my face.“What that’s my first lesson?” She looked at me seriously “Yes I’m going to give you the steps for when you get pull over?” “But if I’m a good driver then I should be fine right?” she looked down “Faith good or bad you are going to get pulled over regardless so listen up this is your life I’m talking about” I listen to what she had to say for the first time driving didn’t sound so fun.
When I finally got my permit I was so happy I knew this was the beginning of something great. Two weeks into me having my permit me and my sister decided to go get pizza at this place called Amore’s in Zionsville. On the way there we were talked and giggled we decided to not have the radio on so it wouldn’t be a distraction for me. Once we were in Zionsville I was startled by the sound of a police alarm behind us I started to panicked. My sister looked relaxed she told me to pull over slowly which I did when we parked I notice the office still haven’t left his car my sister held my hand and told me. “Faith do exactly what he says and remember what Mom taught you” I shook my head in agreement the officer came up to put car and I rolled down the window. “Evening what brings you to Zionsville” He looked cold I was so scared. “Hello sir me and my sister our going to Amore’s to get some pizza” He looked at me then flicked his ice blue eyes to my sister. “I’m going to need license and registration from the both of you” We both said yes sir “Officer I’m just reaching for the paperwork in the glove compartment” The officer didn’t say anything my sister slowly grab the paper work and licenses and handed it to the officer. Which he took and went back to his car my chest felt like a ton of bricks were being placed on it finally the officer returned and handed back the licenses. “Alright you are free to go have a good day” He than returned back to his car and drove away my sister and I paused for a moment I felt like a weight had been taken off me she looked at me and said “Good job Faith….Good Job” I clutched the steering wheel tightly “He had no reason to stop us Fumi no reason at all” My sister took a deep breath “Faith I’m am going to tell you what mom told me when this happen as long as your skin is brown as long as you are a black person that is more than enough reason for a cop to pull you over it is just the way the world is fair or not”
A couple of years later I saw on the news Philando Castle get shot in his car in front of his children and girlfriend while just trying to reach for his license. That could have been my sister that could have been me. That moment I had in the car with my sister was an honest moment one I will never forget. I realize that day that how I handle situations in my life could determine whether I got to come home or not. This made me really connect with the Ta-Nehesi Coates book. “Between The World And Me” The whole book is center on Coates explaining how the world is going to be unfair to his son for his being a Black male in America. I felt my conversations with my Mom and sister in those specific moments is what Coates was trying to aware is wider audience. That this is what Black families in America have to go through these conversations and experiences in their lives are crucial to there survival in this country and in this world. I thank Coates for making his story. But I thank my Mom and my sister for having these conversations that truly matter to the safety of my well being.
