At the beginning of my day #1, the first thing that I do is thank God for this day. I stand in the mirror and go down my daily checklist.
#2, I am still a human being with dark skin living in America.
#3, Mentally verify that I have all my ducks in a row to begin my day.
#4, Make sure whatever I decide to wear is not too threatening or offensive to certain people that I might be profiled as the suspect or a thug.
#5, Make sure that I have all my proper ID. So that when I leave out of my house I am not accused of breaking in to it.
#6, Make sure that my car’s registration, license plates, stickers, brake lights, window tent is not too dark, my rearview mirror is free from obstructions, that there is nothing in the car under the car or around the car that could be considered a lethal weapon, proof of insurance and that it is clean and smelling good.
#7, Remind myself to drive as safe and as cautious as possible. Making sure that if there is someone in my car that they are not carrying any illegal guns, weapons or drugs.
#8, Remind myself not to get too angry if someone assumes that I am stealing, that I am the suspect, up to no good, walking too fast, walking too slow, walking on the wrong side of the street, walking in the wrong neighborhood, walking with my hands in my pockets, walking with my hands out of my pockets, looking like a guilty person, looking like a innocent person or for just walking while black.
#9, Make sure that I am mindful of the size of the crowd I am walking in or if I am just working with one other person.
#10, Remind myself to treat everyone that I encounter as a human being as I wish to be treated.
Now I’ll admit this may seem like a lot to think about at the beginning of the day every day, but this is my life. Whatever I have to do to make it back home at the end of the day to my family safe and sound.
What’s your checklist?
Smoke That Over.
#IAmHumanRu