#BlackMommyActivism: Things I Never Thought I Would Have to Tell My Black Sons

SHARED ACTIVISM

By Karsonya Wise Whitehead

Copyright May 2, 2015

For the past two weeks, my sons (14 and 12) and I have been participating in the #JusticeforFreddieGrey protests that have taken place across the city. From visiting his neighborhood to marching down to City Hall, they have had an opportunity to be baptized by the water of the Movement. My youngest son once said, “If the revolution is trapped in the clouds then we should do everything we can to make it rain.” So, we have spent the past two weeks trying to make it rain! Along the way, I have written down some #BlackMommyIsms or “Things I Never Thought I Would Have to Tell My Black Sons.” Enjoy:

The March to Justice

1. Pack a sandwich for the Protest March because I am not buying any snacks
2. No, that money is not for Starbucks, it’s cab money in case we get separated
3. If they use pepper spray, close your eyes, bow your heads, and use the milk I packed in your bag. No don’t drink it, pour it in your eyes.
4. If we get separated – ask one of the Bloods or Crips for help
5. If I get arrested – don’t come with me; call your father for help
6. The song is “No weapon formed against me shall prosper” Not “No weapon formed against me Is Proper”
7. No you can’t go March with the Black Israelites just because you like their purple shirts
8. No you can’t go take a selfie with the National Guard
9. Yes when they start praying you should keep your eyes open
10. No I don’t think you should get yourself arrested as a show of solidarity for the cause
11. No I don’t think it’s counterrevolutionary if I stop for coffee on the way to the March.
12. Stop telling the lady that you want integrated hot chocolate.
13. An iPhone 6 will absolutely Not make you a better protestor.
14. Don’t you dare stage a walk out during your history class just because your teacher is not talking about Freddie Grey.
15. “Mom, how far are we going to march? “I don’t know” “How far are we going to March?” “I don’t know.” “How far–” “Until freedom comes!”
16. Yelling I’m the next Dr. King while doing The Whip so doesn’t go together.
17. Get out of mirror practicing how you are going to look for your mug shot. I said that wasn’t funny the first time you did it.
18. Yes I know that your #BaseballLifeMatters but you are missing practice for the March tonight.
19. What do you mean pretend that I’m not your Mom? I think that girl is 18 and you are 14.
20. You can say that “you have nothing to lose but your chains” all day long but you are not catching a cab and meeting me at the end of the March.