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Trayvon Martin, my son, and the Black Male Code
Google News A/P ^ | 3/24/12 | JESSE WASHINGTON

Posted on 03/24/2012 10:56:25 AM PDT by Baynative

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — I thought my son would be much older before I had to tell him about the Black Male Code. He's only 12, still sleeping with stuffed animals, still afraid of the dark. But after the Trayvon Martin tragedy, I needed to explain to my child that soon people might be afraid of him.

We were in the car on the way to school when a story about Martin came on the radio. "The guy who killed him should get arrested. The dead guy was unarmed!" my son said after hearing that neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman had claimed self-defense in the shooting in Sanford, Fla.

We listened to the rest of the story, describing how Zimmerman had spotted Martin, who was 17, walking home from the store on a rainy night, the hood of his sweatshirt pulled over his head. When it was over, I turned off the radio and told my son about the rules he needs to follow to avoid becoming another Trayvon Martin — a black male who Zimmerman assumed was "suspicious" and "up to no good."

As I explained it, the Code goes like this:

(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News
KEYWORDS: black; blackkk; code; florida; georgezimmerman; trayvon; trayvonmartin
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An enlightening article [or editorial] about how responsible black males have tried to educate their sons a about the racial stereotypes we still must deal with.

It is an insightful commentary, especially the closing statement.

1 posted on 03/24/2012 10:56:35 AM PDT by Baynative
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Comment #2 Removed by Moderator

To: Baynative

Too bad he didn’t teach Treyvon not to punch people in the nose and beat them on the ground.


3 posted on 03/24/2012 10:59:49 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Government is the religion of the sociopath.)
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To: Baynative

Almost word for word what I tell my sons:

Always pay close attention to your surroundings, son, especially if you are in an poor black neighborhood where white folks are few. Understand that even though you are not a target, some people might assume you are, especially if you are wearing certain clothes.


4 posted on 03/24/2012 11:00:47 AM PDT by DManA
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To: Baynative

You should see the Code for women!


5 posted on 03/24/2012 11:01:18 AM PDT by Lady Lucky (Rallies for religious freedom today - probably one near you.)
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To: Baynative

I had a conversation like that with my ten year old son:

“Boy, don’t start a fight with someone, because they may have a gun.”

I believe he’ll take that to heart and I feel better now.


6 posted on 03/24/2012 11:03:06 AM PDT by End Times Sentinel (In Memory of my dear Friend Henry Lee II)
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To: DManA

Always pay close attention to your surroundings, son, especially if you are in an poor black neighborhood where white folks are few. Understand that even though you are not a target, some people might assume you are, especially if you are wearing certain clothes.

Same code for this old woman when shopping at Walmart.


7 posted on 03/24/2012 11:04:20 AM PDT by WestwardHo
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To: Baynative

Hmmm, perhaps I didn’t read that article very close but I didn’t see anything about .... not beating the crap out of someone, knocking them to the ground, and breaking their nose.


8 posted on 03/24/2012 11:04:20 AM PDT by taxcontrol
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To: DManA

I was thinking of posting that exact thing, word for word! Well done, sir!


9 posted on 03/24/2012 11:04:43 AM PDT by End Times Sentinel (In Memory of my dear Friend Henry Lee II)
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To: Baynative

I think it can go for White Male Code, too.

As I explained it, the Code goes like this:

Always pay close attention to your surroundings, son, especially if you are in an black neighborhood where white folks are few. Understand that even though you are not a racist, some people might assume you are, especially if you have a slick shaved head.

Never argue with police, but protect your dignity and take pride in humility. When confronted by someone with a badge or a gun, do not flee, fight, or put your hands anywhere other than up.

Please don’t assume, son, that all black people view you as a threat. America is better than that. Suspicion and bitterness can imprison you. But as a white male, you must go above and beyond to show strangers what type of person you really are.


10 posted on 03/24/2012 11:04:48 AM PDT by Irenic (The pencil sharpener and Elmer's glue is put away-- we've lost the red wheel barrow)
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To: Baynative
From the article

"Fast forward 25 years later," Stephney said. "We've come a long way to get nowhere."

The author can thank the likes of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, 90% of Democrats and all the other race baiting Poverty Pimps in the so called "Civil Rights Movement.

But for some reason.....I don't believe the author will tell his son that.

11 posted on 03/24/2012 11:06:07 AM PDT by HP8753 (Live Free!!!! .............or don't.)
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To: Baynative

Pure driveling racial clap trap!

Here is a clue Jesse.
Adolescence is a dangerous time.
It’s a time when many cherub faced kids try to define themselves as adults.

I can relate to most of what you say, but don’t make this a racial thing.


12 posted on 03/24/2012 11:08:52 AM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: taxcontrol

Its a good article. In it the author tells his son to be respectful, not go looking for a fight, and to submit (basically) to authority figures. Its good advice.


13 posted on 03/24/2012 11:09:58 AM PDT by bigdaddy45
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Too bad he didn’t teach Treyvon not to punch people in the nose and beat them on the ground.

And too bad somebody didn't teach the shooter Zimmerman not to chase an innocent person and confront them on a public street.

Seems like you forget that this kid had every right to stand his ground when Zimmerman ran up on him and began the actions that resulted in a shooting and a death.

Would you stand there and let someone run up on you and under the authority of just having a firearm treat you any old kind of way and not attempt to defend yourself?

This kid Treyvon had the right of self defense just like anyone else has when accosted by a stranger behaving in a threatening fashion.

And Zimmerman was a threat
14 posted on 03/24/2012 11:10:39 AM PDT by Rooivalk
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To: DManA

Been there done that.


15 posted on 03/24/2012 11:10:39 AM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: Baynative
Depending on how we dress, act and speak, people might make negative assumptions about us. That doesn't mean they must be racist; it means they must be human.

And that is it in a nutshell....

16 posted on 03/24/2012 11:11:01 AM PDT by freebilly (Obama Sings While America Sinks....)
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To: Baynative

Thought experiment:

On a city street on one side there are 10 black youths wearing hoodies, smoking, swaggering, talking loudly and laughing.

On the other side of the street are 10 black youths dressed conservatively, speaking quietly, carrying bibles.

Which side of the street are you going to be walking on?


17 posted on 03/24/2012 11:12:30 AM PDT by DManA
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To: Baynative

He forgets to mention The White Male Code. Where you have to work harder and smarter to beat “preferences,” quotas, PC and “affirmative action”


18 posted on 03/24/2012 11:14:33 AM PDT by A_Former_Democrat (Some "unifier" in the White House, huh)
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To: Baynative

My, my.... The knee-jerks are out today proving they didn’t read the article and only know what they already know....


19 posted on 03/24/2012 11:14:37 AM PDT by freebilly
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To: Baynative

“Son. When you attack people, some of them will resist. I know this is racism but all of the people you attack will probably be racist.”


20 posted on 03/24/2012 11:17:39 AM PDT by GeronL (The Right to Life came before the Right to Pursue Happiness)
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