If you are a Black parent, you’ve probably had “the talk” with your children, telling them to comply with police if they are stopped. It is a rite of passage for Black people, who are disproportionately killed by law enforcement officers.
George Floyd’s death last year in Minneapolis sparked yet another discussion about the relationship between the Black community and law enforcement, and the role of police in society. Yet the violence continues. Since testimony in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer charged with murdering Floyd, began in March, more than 60 people have died at the hands of police, about half of them Black or Latino. They include Daunte Wright, 20, of Brooklyn Center, a Minneapolis suburb, and Adam Toledo, 13, of Chicago.
The talk is always an urgent task for Black parents, but we want to know what other conversations you’re having with your children about law enforcement, and how the nationwide debate on policing plays out within the families most impacted. Beyond the talk, how do you explain the role of the police to your children?
We will publish a collection of your responses in the Guardian.
Share your experiences
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