This is my little brother Daquan who I met through the Simba program of FCCS. He is transitioning out of foster care and just got his own apartment! He has a job but is interviewing for another today. I’m very proud.
Today, we had “The Talk”.
🧵
Today, we had “The Talk”.
🧵
Daquan has been taking the bus to work. He had been unable to do the traditional temps at 15.5, license at 16 driving path because of his circumstances but now that he is 18, his awesome foster mom is helping him get a car and he is practicing his driving.
That car isn’t functional just yet, so we took my car out to practice today and he will take his test with it in a few weeks.
Side note: 2 minutes in, I caught myself grabbing the “Oh Jesus” handle like my mom used to do even though he was doing really well 😂
Side note: 2 minutes in, I caught myself grabbing the “Oh Jesus” handle like my mom used to do even though he was doing really well 😂
But before we started, we had to have “The Talk”. For those of you who are unfamiliar, it is extremely important for *children* to be trained to minimize their risk of being killed by the police for no particular reason, especially once they start driving.
I have never done “The Talk” before, so I hope I hit the major points with Daquan correctly. I am a pediatrics resident and plan to start incorporating it into office visits. Pls let me know if I’m missing anything or saying anything wrong.
1. If you hear sirens or see police lights, hazards on, slow down, move to the right as able. THEN figure out if you’re the one being pulled over.
2. If it is you, find a well lit spot, drive slowly and predictably. Don’t get pulled over somewhere without witnesses.
2. If it is you, find a well lit spot, drive slowly and predictably. Don’t get pulled over somewhere without witnesses.
That means find a gas station or if you are truly in the middle of nowhere, at least find a streetlight to park under.
3. Once you are stopped, car has to go in park, foot off the brake. Your brake lights being on makes you look like you could take off.
3. Once you are stopped, car has to go in park, foot off the brake. Your brake lights being on makes you look like you could take off.
4. Keys out and on the dash visible.
5. BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL FINGERS OPEN. Do not reach for license. Do not reach for registration. Do not reach for proof of insurance. Your hands stay there until the officer asks you to roll the window down.
5. BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL FINGERS OPEN. Do not reach for license. Do not reach for registration. Do not reach for proof of insurance. Your hands stay there until the officer asks you to roll the window down.
6. Always move slowly. And just as importantly, tell the officer *out loud* every motion you are about to make.
7. Make these motions simple. In your glove box, no matter what you keep in there, REGISTRATION ON TOP. You want to avoid fumbling and digging around.
7. Make these motions simple. In your glove box, no matter what you keep in there, REGISTRATION ON TOP. You want to avoid fumbling and digging around.
8. Provide reassurance to the police. They are afraid of you at baseline. Then all of their training reinforces that. You know what they are not afraid of? Consequences if they shoot you dead. Tell them if you don’t have weapons. Tell them if you do.
The most important thing to keep in mind is: they are afraid. They want to be in control. They have a gun. Using the gun is the fastest way for them to feel safe and in control. You just want to make it home to your family. Just try your best to do that.
Lastly... I don’t want this to come off as disrespectful to those who were killed by the police. As if it was their fault or their families didn’t “train” them properly. This is just something to improve our kids chances of growing up.
None of this changes the fact that policing as an institution is trash and racist and needs to be demolished and we need a complete restructuring of community safety practices.
As dark as all that is, we gotta end on something positive. So I’m just gonna say again how proud of Daquan I am. He is thinking about going to culinary school someday. I am setting some $ aside to get him this awesome smoker/grill combo for his new place.
He’s just been through more than anyone should have to already and his outlook is just still so positive. Just trying to match that energy makes other people better. I’m so excited for him to drive. And more than anything, I want him home safe.
Things I learned from Twitter friends:
Put your registration and insurance info in the visor to minimize reaching
“Hey Siri, I’m being pulled over” will pause your music and record the traffic stop.
I also should have mentioned it never hurts to be courteous and respectful
Put your registration and insurance info in the visor to minimize reaching
“Hey Siri, I’m being pulled over” will pause your music and record the traffic stop.
I also should have mentioned it never hurts to be courteous and respectful
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