When Does My Son Become a Threat?

The talk no parent wants to have, but every Black parent must.

I often ask myself, “When does my son become a threat?”

Is it when he says his first words

Is it when he takes his first steps

Is it when he learns the difference between black and white

Is it when he learns he’s not like the rest?

Is it when he has his first crush

Or when he has his first heartbreak

Is it when he has his first friend group

Is it when they part and go their separate ways

Is it when he decides to stand up for himself

Or when he decides to let things go?

Will it be up for the world to tell him

Or should I be the one to let him know?

When does my son become a threat

When does he go from cute to “I feared for my life”

When does he go from laughs and smiles

To fighting for his life?

When does my son become a threat

Is it when he has his first job

And the boss doesn’t like what they see

Is it when he speaks firmly

That he then becomes the enemy?

When does my son become a threat

And how do I stop this

How do I relinquish the fear

And when does he get the gist

From little black boy to a black man

Speak your voice, behind you I will always stand

When does my son become a threat?

Photo by Ahshea1 Media: https://www.pexels.com/photo/boy-leaning-on-chain-fence-1775637/

Photo by rabiu kabir: https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-young-man-in-green-shirt-portrait-29440599/