The Talk: After Ferguson, a Shaded Conversation About RacePosted in Articles, Family/Parenting, Media Archive, Passing, United States on 2014-12-14 22:08Z by Steven |
The Talk: After Ferguson, a Shaded Conversation About Race
The New York Times
2014-12-13
Dana Canedy, Senior Editor
LIKE so many African-American parents, I had rehearsed “the talk,” that nausea-inducing discussion I needed to have with my son about how to conduct himself in the presence of the police. I was prepared for his questions, except for one.
“Can I just pretend I’m white?”
Jordan was born to African-American parents, but recessive genes being what they are, he has very fair skin and pale blue eyes. I am caramel brown, and since his birth eight years ago people have mistaken me for his nanny.
When I asked why he would want to “pass” for white, I struggled with how to respond to his answer.
“Because it’s safer,” Jordan replied. “They won’t hurt me.”…
Read the entire article here.