"I taught my black kids that their elite upbringing would protect them from discrimination. I was wrong"
Lawrence Otis Graham
Lawrence Otis Graham is a U.S. Attorney in New York City, New York. He wrote a number of books including, "Our Kind of People" and "The Senator and The Socialite." In this article form the Washington Post, Graham, writes about having to tell his children, that in order to survive in our society, you need to be careful and aware of every action because of the color of your skin. The article starts by Graham believing that he would never have to talk to his children about racial profiling because, they grew up in an elite society in New York City. However, when his eldest son attended a summer camp in New England, he was faced with racism. Two white boys approached him and teased him calling him the N word. When his son told him about the incident, Graham created nine rules for their children to live by in order to survive in our society. These were the nine rules:
1. Never run while in the view of a police officer or security person unless it is apparent that you are jogging for exercise, because a cynical observer might think you are fleeing a crime or about to assault someone.
2. Carry a small tape recorder in the car, and when you are the driver or passenger (even in the back seat) and the vehicle has been stopped by the police, keep your hands high where they can be seen, and maintain a friendly and non-questioning demeanor.
3. Always zip your backpack firmly closed or leave it in the car or with the cashier so that you will not be suspected of shoplifting.
4. Never leave a shop without a receipt, no matter how small the purchase, so that you can’t be accused unfairly of theft.
5. If going separate ways after a get-together with friends and you are using taxis, ask your white friend to hail your cab first, so that you will not be left stranded without transportation.
6. When unsure about the proper attire for a play date or party, dress more on the side of being more formal in your clothing selection.
7. Do not go for pleasure walks in any residential neighborhood after sundown, and never carry any dark-colored or metallic object that could be mistaken as a weapon, even a non-illuminated flashlight.
8. If you must wear a T-shirt to an outdoor play event or on a public street, it should have the name of a respected and recognizable school emblazoned on its front.
9. When entering a small store of any type, immediately make friendly eye contact with the shopkeeper or cashier, smile, and say “good morning” or “good afternoon.”
Graham later discusses his anger and sadness of having to tell his children this because he believed that our society has matured and moved on to where everyone can be equal. He hoped for a better place for his children to grow up. This article written by Lawrence Otis Graham, supports the argument that there is no equality for African Americans in the United States and that white privilege exists in our society because there are certain "rules" and "regulations" to be followed, if you are African American, in order to have a fighting chance of "equality" in our society.