Dear All African American Leaders,
I am a middle class (if that still exsists) mother of 3 African American BOYS in an already racially charged neighborhood in Pennsylvania.
I am unaware how I am expected to have a conversation with my children to tell them to be safe when they are going off to school in 2 weeks. They are inundated with press coverage of all of the killings of people that look like them, from people that I tell them to run to if ever they need assistance and I am not available.
Who should I tell them to run to if they are followed in their neighborhood for wearing a hooded shirt for warmth!!!??!! Should I tell my soon to be 13 year old son to put his hands up, or down? Should I tell him to walk slow or swift? Should I teach him of his 2nd amendment right to bear arms and shoot now and ask questions later? To be judge by 12 peers on a jury or carried by 6 of his peers in a casket? What do we do?????
I feel there is NO safe haven for African American Boys across this country. I am passionate about this issue and would love to assist individuals in Ferguson and anywhere else this issue is a concern.... I am afraid that it is too much of a concern everywhere!!!!
Ms. Ellis
