For many people, the simple act of walking around their neighborhood is relaxing and pleasurable. Maybe it’s for exercise or to say hi to the neighbors or simply to get some fresh air.
Most of us would take that simple freedom as a given. Of course a person can take a walk along a street they live on without a care in the world.
But one father’s post about why he’s afraid to do just that has gone viral because it shows just how much of a privilege a simple walk can be.
Shola Richards is a writer and public speaker who focuses on ending workplace bullying.
He’s the father of two daughters, aged 11 and 8, and pet parent to a friendly dog named Ace.
He’s also a six-foot-two black man with an athletic build.
In his post, he explains that he has never walked alone in his own neighborhood.
“Twice a day, I walk my dog Ace around my neighborhood with one, or both, of my girls. I know that doesn’t seem noteworthy, but here’s something that I must admit:
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“I would be scared to death to take these walks without my girls and my dog. In fact, in the four years living in my house, I have never taken a walk around my neighborhood alone (and probably never will).”
With his daughters and his dog, he’s just another neighborhood dad, but alone, he’s seen as a potential threat.
“It’s equal parts exhausting and depressing to feel like I can’t walk around outside alone, for fear of being targeted.”
He goes on to explain a number of points commonly brought up in the discussion of Black Lives Matter, explaining the meaning of white privilege, why “All Lives Matter” is the wrong things to say, and that racism is alive and well in mainstream America.
But he also has a request for white readers who consider themselves allies.
“In order for racism to get better, white allies are absolutely critical. If you’re white and you’ve read this far, hopefully you care enough to be one of those allies. Please continue to speak up (despite some of your friends and family rolling their eyes at you), because your voices matter to PoC now more than ever. ”
Until there are true signs of change, though, he’s going to keep protecting himself the only way he can.
“As for me, I’ll continue to walk these streets holding my 8 year-old daughter’s hand, in hopes that she’ll continue to keep her daddy safe from harm.
“I know that sounds backward, but that’s the world that we’re living in these days.”
If his story interests you or surprises you, be sure to go to his Facebook post to read it in full, and to learn more about his work around workplace bullying, head over to his website .
