A peaceful discussion

I think we could all learn something from kids.

I don’t claim to represent all of African Americans but a couple of weeks ago I had the chance to share what I thought about current events at a local high school.

The opportunity came thanks in part to a responsive column I wrote about confederate monuments about a month or so ago.

The kids and teacher of that class were interested in why I wrote what I wrote and also presented me with several other questions.

When I first received an email stating they were interested in a discussion, I felt both honored and slightly concerned.

I was only concerned because I didn’t want to say something that would affect a young mind in a negative way and besides its slightly uncomfortable being in my shoes sometimes.

I believe that discussion went well. No one cursed me out or anything like that and I believe that maybe I was able to express my viewpoint in a noncombative or unthreatening way.

Though it was a little awkward, I am thankful for such wonderful students, who were much more respectful than the keyboard warriors and trolls we have seen plague social media, especially over the last few years.

The main point I wanted to get across to those kids and anyone who read my write up is that people need to listen to each other. If a statue becomes something that a group of people are militant behind, there is a strong chance that that idol needs to be put away.

I could go on and on but life is more than statues and politics.

Here’s an update on my son PJ. He is growing up fast. He was so well behaved during our vacation to the Midwest that he received several new toys throughout the trip.

He is a smart boy who is kind-hearted.

He also looks different than almost everyone in the county. My wish is that one day he would not be exposed to racism but would live in a world where people can simply co-exist without racial bias. I will raise my son to be respectful of everyone, regardless of how they look, smell or talk.

I do not care if you were born here, Mexico, the bottom of the ocean or outer space for that matter. Life should be respected. Unless you are a hornet.