Posted on 05/03/2012 6:52:00 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The country, including South Cobb, continues to dialogue about the shooting death of Trayvon Martin and to watch the impending trial of George Zimmerman. Many parents are wondering what, if anything, they can do to prevent their children from becoming the next Trayvon, the 16-year-old boy Zimmerman admitted to shooting in what he said was self-defense. Martin was walking to his father’s home in a Sanford, FL subdivision from a local store.
During the second Cobb United for Change Coalition meeting held Wednesday night, a child asked what he could do to prevent becoming “another Trayvon Martin.”
The answers from parents in the crowd, made up of about 25 mostly African American and Latino individuals, varied.
Several responded that because their children are African-American or Latino, they will be judged as “more dangerous” or “more aggressive” than their white counterparts.
Guenevere Reed, president of the Powder Springs Task Force, said she tells her sons “to follow the rules” and not “mess up…We don’t have the luxury to mess up.”
Teretha Muhammad said about her African-American sons, “I have to teach him to not be fearful…We got to teach them to have strong character.”
She said the community should help find positive male mentors for boys without fathers.
“I tell them to follow the rules. Do not be in places you’re not supposed to be…Try to be the best child you can be,” she said, adding that she does not allow her sons to be out alone after a certain time.
Repeatedly, members of the crowd said in order for stereotypes about African American and Latino children to change, they must exhibit excellence.
“That mentality that black and brown children are more criminal” is dangerous, said Angela Flores, a Marietta mother and a human services professional.
“I think the perfect solution is to love your neighbor,” she said.
“We need to stand up against lies being told against our children,” she said. Children are being discriminated against “not for their choices, but for the conditions they’ve been in” and because of that, “they can be jailed, deported or killed.”
Well, some of the advice from parents was spot on.
Don't wear a hoodie in a strange hood. It's a start.
Actual families don’t “dialogue”.
It’s like somebody swimming in a shark tank worried about being hit by lightning.
“Several responded that because their children are African-American or Latino, they will be judged as “more dangerous” or “more aggressive” than their white counterparts.”
UH,duh..Statiscally they ARE more dangerous and more aggressive.
Try telling your kids not to have gold grills, wear hoodies covering their faces, pants hanging down and swaggering with an intimidating attitude.
Did she continue with don't bash people's heads into sidewalks, don't skip school, don't "hold" stolen jewelry and burglary tools for others, don't take swings at bus drivers, and don't roam the streets when you're supposed to be grounded?
Maybe they could begin with basics, like respect legitimate authority.
It begins at home, with children respecting their parents.
25 years ago Cobb County was pretty much all White. Since then the Blacks have moved in with a vengeance. That’s why you see this “dialogue” going on.
Obey your mother and father.
Study hard.
Dress sensibly.
Speak articulately and respectfully.
Obey the law.
Choose good friends.
Don’t be out prowling through neighborhoods in the middle of the night.
Don’t pounce on community watch captains and bash their heads on the pavement.
What about the littlediscussed fact that Martin had a burglury tool at home, found by the police after the fact?
Is it usual for Cobb COounty youths to have such tolls at home? Ane wgat was Martin doing, hanging around a gated community alone after sundown, casing a house or two??Is it usual for Cob County youths to be hanging around in the dark, and in the rain alone?
I am getting out of touch I guess, when I was atthat age, I was out only on Friday o Saturdy nights and had better things t do than hang around in the darkm in the rain, alone. I was hanging with friends and having fun. But I guess the times have changed, young folk today just like to hang around in the dark alone, in the rain, peeping into windows?
>25 years ago Cobb County was pretty much all White. Since then the Blacks have moved in with a vengeance. That’s why you see this “dialogue” going on.<
I bet the crime rate has skyrocketed, too.
My family’s “dialogue” was “if you screw up, don’t bother calling us for bail money”.
And they meant it.
I was a very good kid.....:)
Well that’s awfully Draconian.
/s
So in a county of 700,000, with a 25% black population, 25 people show up? How did they handle all the traffic jams?
Define burglary tool. He had a screwdriver in his backpack in school, which is suspicious unless he’s a budding repairman.
Screwdrivers at home OTOH are legitimate. Lots of burglary tools here.
The most needed we all need to learn, and to profit as a people and nation is:
“By mercy and truth iniquity is purged, and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” (Proverbs 16:6)
It seems we have a nation of children that have not been taught to fear God (honor and respect our God and Creator).
I taught for several years (in the projects) and soon learned; they believe when you are dead, and thats it. No accountability!
We must teach them that death is only the beginning of eternity! An accountability for eternity!
“Love your neighbor”? Yeah, that’d work. Or even “don’t attack your neighbor and try to beat him to death” would be fine. I doubt that we’ll hear it suggested, though. Doesn’t fit the narrative.
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