As a mother of three black sons who are now adults, I must admit the worry never ends. In a world where we are judged or misjudged simply by the color of our skin, calls for mothers of black boys all over the world to become prayer warriors. Two of my sons served in the United States military; one in the Marine Corps stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, and one in the Navy that has traveled the world. The other one said no thank you to the military and decided to go to college instead, majoring in Art Design. I am so grateful to God for the favor over their lives and how He has kept my sons safe from harm. I am so grateful to God that even during this Pandemic they all are healthy and working full time and not in my pocket so much. I am proud of the men they are still becoming and I am proud of what they stand for. As a mother of three black sons who are now adults, reflecting back I didn’t know what would become of their future and that was scary. They were not perfect and growing up came with its challenges. I kept them in the church and they kept me on my knees. God had many guardians in position to mentor and encourage my sons along the way. I allowed them the space they needed to come into their own and although I prayed, I still worried. It’s just what mothers do. I worried when they came home late from school, knowing practice was over hours ago. I worried when they hung out with their friends and missed curfew. I worried when I couldn’t reach them and their phone had died. I worried because one son loves to speed while driving, one has a smart mouth and one had smoked weed. If they were to get pulled over by the police, would they be okay. As a mother of three black sons who are now adults, I still worry. I worry because they are still black.

Many recent incidents have proven how dangerous it is to be a black man. Driving while black can be dangerous and cause profiling, especially when the front and back seats are occupied. Or if it’s a really nice car. My husband was recently pulled over and he’s a police officer. You can’t sell loose cigarettes while black. We are all encouraged to to get a little exercise but it’s dangerous to go for a jog while black. Do not go to the corner store for snacks while black. Check all bills to make sure they are real while black. Please, whatever you do, don’t go to the park and bird watch while black. To all mothers of black sons keep praying and to all black men, keep standing.

“You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it”.

Malcolm X

“Press forward at all times, climbing forward to that higher ground of harmonious society that shapes the laws of man to the laws of God”.

Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”.

Dr. Martin Luther King