We need to talk about race. Now.
It’s clear following Saturday’s verdict – and other recent events -- that there remains a racial divide in our city, our state and our country.
We need to talk. Now.
My son is 2. I’ve got 16 years to get him ready to live independently as an adult black male.
Judging by the reaction from the Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman case, I’ve got work to do.
Before it, my wife and I were concerned. Now, we’re worried.
We’ve got a significant segment of our population hurting and confused. How, they wonder, can an unarmed black teenager be shot and killed and have a jury determine in a court of law that it was justifiable?
This is where we need to talk.
Because there remains a racial divide in our society.
Saturday’s verdict indicates that. More evidence? Take the Paula Deen controversy. Or the debate of whether or not to rename the Brady District.
Just because you’re on one side of the debate doesn’t brand you as a racist. No one is blaming an entire segment of the population for one action.
Yet when you disagree with the way you’ve been treated, no one should dismiss it as an overreaction. And when we ask someone to let the past stay in the past, how can someone do that if their wounds aren’t healed?
I will talk with my son. Books and magazines refer to “the talk,” what parents tell their black sons as they grow up. A Florida Times-Union blogger made these points:
-- Don’t leave a store without a shopping bag.
-- Don’t loiter outside anywhere.
-- Don’t go anywhere alone.
-- Don’t talk back to police or reach into your pocket while addressing an officer.
-- Don’t ever doubt trouble can happen at any time.
I think it’s disgraceful that any segment of society – whether my son is involved or not -- has to take those points to heart.
Talk. Now.
Because we can do better.
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