Thoughts After the Two Recent Police Shootings

I am mature white man. Some who know me might joke that I am very "mature" if you know what I mean. Today in the wake of two recent police shootings I had yet anther poignant reminder why, as a white man, I can never assume that I can put myself in the shoes of young black men dealing with police officers.

Today I heard Don Lemon, a CNN anchor, relate a story about when he worked as a CNN anchor in Atlanta. He said that though he was a successful black man who drove a Mercedes, when drove back home each night his mother insisted that he call her on his cell phone and remain on his headset with her until he safely reached his destination. Why, because she had a real fear that he might be pulled over by the police. I also yet again heard several successful black men and women describe how they have gone to great lengths to train their children, especially their boys, how to act when confronted by police officers. Over time I have heard other black men describe how they were harassed for no reason by the police when they were younger.

I have to admit I find it difficult fully relate, not for not wanting to do so, but because my experiences are so very different from theirs. What I do understand now is why that is so.

As a young man I was never coached by my parents on how to deal with police officers. While my parents, especially my mother, had the normal concerns about my safety, I can only assume that it never occurred to them that such coaching was necessary. .....

Thoughts After the Two Recent Police Shootings