Never been afraid, rarely been pulled over. But when my black students started getting in trouble, when neighbors called 911 because the boys were making too much noise, when other neighbors called 911 because they thought the boys were fighting, that’s when I intervened and spoke out on their behalf.

I vouched for them and every thing became cool, but what wasn’t cool is that I had to tell these boys, in essence, that it’s best to be agreeable and compliant no matter what because they’re black; because black boys are getting shot by cops and it would kill their mothers and fathers to loose them, and it would kill me too.

I hated that I had to tell them how to survive an encounter with police when all they were doing was acting like fourteen year old boys, just like my fourteen year old white son who’s just as spirited as they are, but who has never been questioned by police.

This is the way things are now but Im not buying it. The change should be made in our adult hearts and we need to let our children be children. I’m always amazed at how easy it is to gain respect just by giving respect. It’s so simple and it's the human thing to do.