A Different but Priceless Mother’s Day Gift

by | May 3, 2021 | NSA Meditations Blog

Blue water splashes creating a tranquil scene.

Mothers are unfailingly protective of their families, particularly of their children. They will go to extreme measures to assist or save them. Mothers of Black and Brown children may feel helpless or lacking in that which is necessary to protect their children or to teach them how to care for themselves when they are out and about (Fathers, too, have the same feelings). Thus NSADESTINATIONS/Facebook shares the following gift of different but priceless information to assist mothers as they care for their families. But first the context of the it.

On December 14, 2014, shortly after 18 year old Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri, Trinity United Church of Christ on the South Side of Chicago held safety forums with a variety of law professionals for Black/Brown youth and their parents. The church dedicated its bulletin to educating its congregation on safety measures to use in their interactions with police. Here is the content of Get Home Safely: 10 Rules of Survival.

  1. Be polite and respectful when stopped by police.
  2. If you feel your rights are being violated, you have the right to file a complaint with your local police office.
  3. Do not under any circumstances get into an argument with the officer.
  4. Always remember that anything you say or do can be used against you.
  5. Keep your hands in plain sight. Make sure the police can always see your hands.
  6. Avoid physical contact with police officers. Do not make any sudden movements and keep your hands out of your pockets.
  7. DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT RUN!
  8. Even if you believe you are innocent, do not resist arrest.
  9. If you are arrested, do not make any statement until you are able to meet with a lawyer or public defender.
  10. Stay calm, watch your words, watch your body language, watch your emotions.

REMEMBER YOUR GOAL IS TO GET HOME SAFELY. 

NSADESTINATIONS/Facebook thanks Trinity United Church of Christ for its meetings with law professionals and parents to compile this list. We share this priceless information as a gift to all but especially to mothers whom we celebrate on Sunday, May 9, 2021. Thank you, Mothers, for your unconditional love and tireless efforts on behalf of your families. A MOST BLESSED MOTHER’S DAY!

Reflections

Here is the link to the YouTube presentation Get Home Safely: 10 Rules of Survival. Please share if you desire; this is a matter of life and death.

 

Dorothy Watson Tatem, D.Min., ACC
Senior Associate
Next Step, LLC
Cassandra W. Jones, Ed.D.
CEO & President