June 23, 2020
Everywhere, everyday young men transition from childhood into teenhood. In the Jewish community, there is the Bar Mitzvah, in the Mexican household, the Quince Años, and in the Brazilian Amazon indigenous Sateré-Mawé tribe, the Bullet and Ant Initiation.
For Americans, there is the Sweet 16 celebration, but in my household and most Black households before we can think about a celebration, there is “the talk.” Some will sit in the seat of dismay and a lack of understanding, but for Black America, this is far too familiar.
Reminiscing over our talk with my son, I wonder if white mothers sit their sons down for “the talk?” I wonder what mothers of the past would say to their sons? Then I’m reminded of a famous poem, “Mother to Son.”
The year was 1922
The poet, Langston Hughes
The period, the Harlem Renaissance
Why Langston Hughes penned those notorious words, we may never know
However, 98 years later, the message reverberated from the Black mother to her son might sound more like this:
Son, life for you won’t be easy.
You see, others are intimidated by the color of your skin.
They won’t take time to get to know you.
They’ll make assumptions before approaching you.
Son, life for you won’t be easy.
Some will fear you.
Others will falsely accuse you.
Most, will not understand you.
Son, life for you won’t be easy.
You will have to fight harder,
Strive to be smarter, and
Stay three steps ahead of others,
Because life for you won’t be easy
But don’t’ let that deter you.
Don’t let it discourage you from being who you are called to be.
You are a king — called to lead.
You are a teacher — called to teach.
You are a husband — called to love.
You are a father — called to protect.
You are a Black man — Stand Tall.
You are my son — called to live a life free from fear.
“Mother to Son — The Talk 2020”
BB Davis
