The Talk

Two recent police shootings of black men, in Baton Rouge, LA and in Minneapolis, MN, put me in mind of an issue that first impinged on my consciousness during the shooting of Treyvon Martin.  The Martin shooting was the first time I had heard of "The Talk" (and here).

The various articles I read, that referred to "The Talk", suggested, in sinister tones, that the parents (who, themselves, are not always Black) of Black children have to advise them in ways that are unique, and uniquely burdensome and irritating,  to Black people living in a racist, White society.  Naturally, I was intrigued.

At the time, I found lots of references to "The Talk", but it was surprisingly difficult to find an example of it (it might be easier now).  When I finally did find an instance of "The Talk", I was gobsmacked.  The substance of this Talk To Black Children in A Racist White Society was in every detail identical to the advice I gave my own son.  Then, as now, it seemed to me the sort of advice that any competent parent would give to the children he loves.

Conversely, not giving such advice should be sufficient basis for the revocation of one's parenting license.  I think parenting should be licensed just for the purpose of having it revoked for failure to give "The Talk", for any parent of children of any color.  Frankly, I do not know what it says about Black people that they think this talk is unique to them, but I am sure it is a problem.  Which brings me now to a second "Talk".

So, the two recent shootings (Baton Rouge and Minneapolis) prompted a Facebook conversation between me and a young, socialist-minded acquaintance. The sum and substance of my FB friend's initial comment was pure emotion. It was the Jewish Grandmother's cri de coeur, "Oh! Why can't everyone be nice?" with some intimations about how racist White people are.  I responded with what is pretty much the advice I gave my own son years ago,

OK, it sucks to be Black in America.  Now, if you are ready for some constructive thinking on the subject, please consider the following:
No matter who you are, when confronted by a man with a gun, no matter who he is, no matter what the reason, there are five rules to *live* by:
(1) shut the fuck up,
(2) do exactly what he says,
(3) no sudden movements,
(4) do NOT get into a fight with him, verbal or physical and
(5) shut the fuck up
Did I mention you MUST shut the fuck up?  Along that line there is this VERY important item,
Never talk to the police
Finally, here is somebody else who agrees with me,
How To Not Get Your Ass Kicked By The Police
Please pass this along to all your friends, including your White friends.

My friend's response surprised me, though it shouldn't have.  He censored me (removed my comment from his FB feed) on the principle that White people cannot tell Black people what to do.  This kind of censorship was not the first for me, but I had higher hopes for this young man.

For much of my adult life, I have tried to have substantive conversations with socialists, with very little success.  Years ago it was like this, today it is like this.  With young people, with old people, it's all the same.  They are obviously unused to thinking about things and find the process uncomfortable.  Thinking instead of emoting, I mean.

I guess I will keep on trying.  There is no harm in it, there is no cost to it.  And the effort does sometimes sharpen my own thinking on a subject.  But talking to socialists?  I mean a true forensic investigation into ideas?  It's starting to look like it will never happen.