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Ask teenagers their opinions Teenagers may see reports of police brutality and protests on their smartphones. If you have not talked to your teens about race, racism and injustice by now, they may have formed their own opinions. Ask them. Even adults battle with comprehending why protests turn violent and why some people involved have damaged other people’s property or stolen items from stores. However, no matter how you feel about the looting and violence, reiterate with your children that people are in pain, and they have been hurting for generations. Ask your teenager how they feel about racism and police brutality. Let them know it’s wrong and unacceptable behavior. Ask them what their friends are saying and doing. Give them room to explain and explore their feelings. Most importantly, model the behavior you would like to see in them. For example, check your network of friends. If you are inspiring your children to have a diverse group of friends but everyone who enters your home looks the same, that speaks louder than any talk you may have with them.
The realities of raising Black children in a racist world In contrast with my white friends, my conversations with my Black sons are much different. Black children are often talked with about racism, unjust treatment and police with the goal of keeping them alive. Unfortunately, I have concluded through my personal experience that the “talk” that has been passed on for generations is not good enough. Imagine receiving a phone call saying your teenage son has been arrested. When asking the officer what your son was arrested for, he is unable to give you a direct answer; however, he is very apologetic. The officer on the phone was not the arresting officer but the intake officer and had a hard time making sense of the situation. My son was targeted because he “looked like a suspect.” He was thrown to the concrete and cuffed with a knee in his back while the police officer unlawfully checked his bag. After they found nothing in his backpack, they threw him up against and then flung him in the police car. My son was charged with obstruction of justice for telling the
FOR YOU , FOR FAMILY , FOR COMMUNITY At the Y, our facilities are clean and safe for all ages. We offer affordable memberships and financial assistance to ensure all of our friends and neighbors can enjoy what we have to offer. Beyond our fitness equipment and classes, we have pools for individual or family swim time, basketball gyms for pick-up games, Parents’ Night Out activities, family festivals and more. We’re also a non-profit community benefit organization. Through the help of generous donors and partners, we operate feeding sites, facilitate a mentorship program for teens, provide financial assistance, address community needs in times of crisis and so much more.
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TAMECCA AND YOUNGEST SON KEITH WITH BEST FRIENDS JESSICA AND BRAX ORVIS.
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