A Mother’s Wish: Dignity for My Black Son
Page Media
As the mother of a young black man, I have feared for my son's safety because being young, black, and male makes you a suspect in America.
Thousands of ACLU supporters agree that parents should be able to raise children free from police violence.
Will you stand with the ACLU and urge California's leaders to pass AB 953 & AB 619?
Earlier this year, these bills to address racial profiling and use of force by police were introduced in the California legislature. Together, AB 953 and AB 619 will collect basic information about police encounters with the public. These bills alone may not end racially biased policing - but they are critical steps toward identifying and eradicating racial disparities in policing.
All mothers deserve to feel their children are safe - no matter the color of their skin. Yet it seems that all too often we see another video or story of an unarmed black person killed by the police.
For years, parents have had "the talk" with their children. But for black parents, this talk isn't your typical conversation about the birds and the bees. Instead, we have the painful conversation with our children about how they should act or dress in order to avoid being the next Rodney King, Michael Brown, or Freddie Gray.
With Mother's Day around the corner, I can't help but think: wouldn't it be nice for every mother to finally breathe easy knowing that all our children will be treated with dignity and respect by the police?
Parents' fears about the safety of our children are very real.
And still, California doesn't collect basic information about who the police stop, search, or even shoot. AB 953 and AB 619 would change that.
Are we going to do something about it? Or will we just continue to press the "replay" button and wait for one of our children to be the next victim?
Let's work together to pass these important bills.
Beverly Tucker is the Chair of the ACLU of Northern California Board of Directors.
