The Talk: After Ferguson A Shaded Conversation Analysis

In the article “the talk: after Ferguson, a shaded conversation about race” it is a mother speaking to her 8 year old son Jordan, who is African American just like herself and the child’s father who passed away not long after their son was born. Jordan was a wealthy and good looking kid, but as people grow up they change and kids (especially black kids) are no longer seen as cute. When black kids are beginning to no longer be kids people begin to view them in different ways. There are many racist people in this world and it causes the need for black kids to be very cautious of what they are doing. Kids learn about different races at a young age and especially black kids need to learn that some people treat them differently because their color/race. …show more content…
She was expecting to have a conversation that most african american parents have with their kids just explaining “Always address police as “sir” or “ma’am”, do not make any sudden moves, even to reach for identification, do not raise you voice, resist or run”. She had always tried to delay that conversation before he was “no longer seen as cute.” Many african american parents struggle and don’t want to have the “talk” with their children about their race. Children don't understand why being black is different and something you need to be cautious …show more content…
He lives in a nicer home and living situation than many of the other kids at school, because his mother works hard to have a good paying job to keep him in a safer status than many other black boys. She believes that “if her parenting pays off she will be able to minimize his contact with the police, be law abiding, respect authority, and understand the perception of black boys wearing hoodies or sagging pants”. As much as Jordan's mother wants to believe that their upper-middle class status will protect Jordan from many of society's social ills, it could not provide Jordan the white privilege he seeks. Black kids may wish they were white or just pretend that they are white but by doing that they are putting themselves lower than who they are and what they stand for. Everyone with any kind of race needs to stand up for who they really are and what they believe. Jordans mother told him that “to deny blackness would be to deny me, it would be to deny our enslaved ancestors who were strong enough to endure that voyage, and rejecting the reflection he sees every time he looks in a mirror.” Jordan doesn't know the radical indignity of having jobs and promotions denied or delayed, does not know the humiliation of being stopped and frisked. This was just the start of their “talk” that will go on into his teenage years, by then Jordans mother will have found a