When will my Black Sons go from Cute to Threat?

I am the mother to two amazing boys, who I love very much. The picture of them displayed was taken a few years ago when they were 2 and 5 years old. They are now teenagers – 14 and 17 and no way would they let me post an updated photograph of them, also its important for me to protect their privacy.

As they grow older and gain more independence, the more I worry about and for them. I always tell them that I am not worried about the way they will behave in public, but I am worried about the way other people will treat them or see them as a threat because they are Black. They both have amazing friends of all nationalities and creeds but the big world is full of people who will judge them by the colour of their skin. People will be afraid of them. I worry that I will not be able to protect them from those who fear them. A lot of you Allies reading this may be surprised but Black parents have the same thoughts and feelings about the safety and wellbeing of their offsprings. Why are our children being pulled over by the Police for no reason, why are they be followed around the supermarket by the security guard, why are women clutching their bags and purses tightly as they walk past and why are they not being shortlisted for a job interview or getting the job?

I do believe things will be much better for them than their grandparents and parents. The BLM movement, Covid 19 pandemic and all the civil rights protests before has brought the injustices that Black and minority people face everyday to the forefront and people are beginning to realise that enough is enough. It’s so promising to see every colour turn out to protest and take the knee. It’s also so amazing how many of you have reached out to me in support.

It is so important for us all to ensure that we are taking steps to stop and maybe eradicate racism throughout our society and especially in our work places and schools. Maybe one day – yes one day – my two boys and many others will not be (In the words of Martin Luther King Jr) judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.