My 19-year-old son, Noah, works at an upscale steakhouse located in the bustling heart of downtown. He had a shift last Saturday night, and while I was initially thrilled about his increased hours, it struck me that it might not be the safest environment given the ongoing pandemic. Since being sent home from university after Spring Break due to health concerns, I’ve become increasingly worried about how isolation could affect his mental well-being.
As parents of teenagers know, it’s a delicate balance. For Noah, I think it’s crucial for him to wear a mask and work a few days a week. It feels like a risk worth taking amidst the ongoing challenges of single parenthood.
Last weekend was different. I found myself glued to the news for seven hours—more than I’ve watched since the day my husband passed away. In fact, it was the first time I turned on the news since I saw the tragic aftermath of his motorcycle accident. Once I clicked the TV off that day, I hadn’t turned it back on until now.
Trouble was brewing downtown, and my youngest was blissfully unaware while working his shift. My main concern was ensuring he got to his car safely after work. I texted him to come straight home and avoid any protests or large gatherings. His response surprised me: he reassured me that there were no protests in our town, only in larger cities, but if one did occur, he’d definitely want to check it out.
At that moment, I realized I had a potential conflict on my hands. I should have anticipated that he wouldn’t shy away from the protesters; instead, he’d be drawn to them. Noah has a deep-seated passion for social justice, and I admire him for that.
I hadn’t watched the video of George Floyd’s death yet, as I’ve been living in a protective bubble since my husband’s passing. I finally gave in and, after watching it, I cried uncontrollably.
When Noah returned home later that night, completely exhausted from his shift, he was oblivious to the fact that there was indeed unrest in our city, with more planned for the next day. The following morning, he woke up to a flurry of texts from friends informing him about a Black Lives Matter rally organized to take place at the state capitol that afternoon.
I had heard about it the night before and spent the entire night researching reasons why he shouldn’t attend. I came up with plenty of valid concerns—from the potential for hate groups to clash with peaceful demonstrators to some more trivial “Mom reasons,” like reminding him to apply sunblock for his fair skin. I know, how weak is that? But I was desperate.
After a sleepless night of weighing the pros and cons, I came to an important realization: I’ve raised my five kids to stand up for what they believe in. I never chased them with a jacket or a tissue; I trusted them to recognize when they needed help. But I’ve always drawn a hard line when it comes to character and kindness toward others.
I remember telling Noah, during a discussion about a classmate being bullied, that remaining silent made him as guilty as the bully. So now, my kids joke about me making them overly sensitive. Maybe they’re right; I can accept that.
I’m preparing myself for my children to stand against injustice in our country. I pray it doesn’t come at a high cost, but I know I won’t be able to blame anyone but myself—and their father, who was never afraid to challenge the status quo.
It seems we’ve raised a generation of passionate advocates who speak up for others and live their truths. Our generation’s role is to support peaceful protests, donate to causes, organize vigils, and, most importantly, show our kids that we’re proud of them for standing up for what’s right. And yes, we can still remind them to wear sunblock.
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In summary, I encourage my son to join the Black Lives Matter protests because it aligns with the values I’ve instilled in him—standing up for justice and showing compassion for others. It’s a moment that feels significant, not just for him, but for our society as a whole.
Keyphrase: Encouraging Social Justice in Teens
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