Reader responses to the Black Male Code story:
I have never written in on an article before, but this touched me to my soul. I am a mother with 3 young adult boys living in South Carolina. … the way in which you carefully worded your advice to your son was so matter-of-fact - without blaming any group of people -that I quickly realized what an insightful person and caring Dad you are. Your statement that not all people are racist -just human- really hit home. I have had my husband and all 3 sons read your article. It has truly saddened me, yet opened my eyes, that parents of young black sons even need to address this Black Code. We all want our children to be safe in this world. Thank you for such an inspiring article.
--Allison Collie, Easely, SC
For the many single mothers out there, struggling as I do to raise our beautiful, African American young men, I thank you for writing this article. You ROCK!!!!!
--Michelyn Goodin
As a Caucasian father of three African-American sons, I've talked with them about the issues they face in public. But your article will make what I say more credible and important. I can talk about it, but really, my only experience is through my sons' eyes. Thanks again. I'm giving it to all three of my sons to read.
--Bill Stout
Thank you for being the sanest voice regarding the tragedy. May all of America read your story.
--Steve Johnson
I am a 62 year old White guy … (your piece) helps me to better understand the Black perspective, and gives me cause to examine my own worldview.
--Keith Wright
I cried when I read your poignant piece about Trayvon Martin, your son, and the Black Male Code. Clearly, you're right to educate your son in this way, and it breaks my heart.
--Noelle Montgomery
How beautifully poignant, sad and yet hopeful. Thank you.
--Nadine Scott, Oceanside
Very well done and you have guts to end an article like that; open and honest!!
--R. F. Huffman 1936, UCD-14, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept.
I'm not one to normally send emails to writers on their stories, but your story on Trayvon Martin brought tears to my mothers heart. I am the mother of four sons, and while I am Cuban, there is no "color" to identify them as being first-generation American. I cannot imagine having to have that talk with my sons.
--Marci Applewhite
I just finished reading your piece about the Black Male Code. It is an important piece for my community, too. Thank you for writing it, a wonderful combination of your first-person perspective and experience and evidence from other places. And thank you for inciting thoughtfulness rather than inciting anger.
--Carolyn Washburn, Editor, The Cincinnati Enquirer
Your column brought tears to my eyes. You've articulated the balance beautifully -- the balance between the reality and some utopian ideal. You have the intelligence and the grace to recognize that balance -- and to not become blinded by righteous anger to ignore such things as the episode of your wife imagining you to be a threat. But if I were an African American and had lived with the tyranny of the reality all my life, I don't know if I would have remained gracious and without seething anger.
--Ajit Dongre
Thank you very much for writing the column on the Black Male Code. I've been thinking a lot lately about that very topic lately -- because of Trayvon Martin, and because my wife and I (who are both white) are about to adopt an African boy. Your column was hard to read because it reflects a sad reality in the U.S., but you managed to do so while still being even-handed towards white America. You also gave me a few good pointers on how I can talk to my son about the challenges he'll face because of his race. I'm sure it's rewarding for you as a journalist to know when you've written something that really affected someone. You definitely did that with your column today.
--Ward Binns
I have never written in on an article before, but this touched me to my soul. I am a mother with 3 young adult boys living in South Carolina. … the way in which you carefully worded your advice to your son was so matter-of-fact - without blaming any group of people -that I quickly realized what an insightful person and caring Dad you are. Your statement that not all people are racist -just human- really hit home. I have had my husband and all 3 sons read your article. It has truly saddened me, yet opened my eyes, that parents of young black sons even need to address this Black Code. We all want our children to be safe in this world. Thank you for such an inspiring article.
--Allison Collie, Easely, SC
For the many single mothers out there, struggling as I do to raise our beautiful, African American young men, I thank you for writing this article. You ROCK!!!!!
--Michelyn Goodin
As a Caucasian father of three African-American sons, I've talked with them about the issues they face in public. But your article will make what I say more credible and important. I can talk about it, but really, my only experience is through my sons' eyes. Thanks again. I'm giving it to all three of my sons to read.
--Bill Stout
Thank you for being the sanest voice regarding the tragedy. May all of America read your story.
--Steve Johnson
I am a 62 year old White guy … (your piece) helps me to better understand the Black perspective, and gives me cause to examine my own worldview.
--Keith Wright
I cried when I read your poignant piece about Trayvon Martin, your son, and the Black Male Code. Clearly, you're right to educate your son in this way, and it breaks my heart.
--Noelle Montgomery
How beautifully poignant, sad and yet hopeful. Thank you.
--Nadine Scott, Oceanside
Very well done and you have guts to end an article like that; open and honest!!
--R. F. Huffman 1936, UCD-14, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept.
I'm not one to normally send emails to writers on their stories, but your story on Trayvon Martin brought tears to my mothers heart. I am the mother of four sons, and while I am Cuban, there is no "color" to identify them as being first-generation American. I cannot imagine having to have that talk with my sons.
--Marci Applewhite
I just finished reading your piece about the Black Male Code. It is an important piece for my community, too. Thank you for writing it, a wonderful combination of your first-person perspective and experience and evidence from other places. And thank you for inciting thoughtfulness rather than inciting anger.
--Carolyn Washburn, Editor, The Cincinnati Enquirer
Your column brought tears to my eyes. You've articulated the balance beautifully -- the balance between the reality and some utopian ideal. You have the intelligence and the grace to recognize that balance -- and to not become blinded by righteous anger to ignore such things as the episode of your wife imagining you to be a threat. But if I were an African American and had lived with the tyranny of the reality all my life, I don't know if I would have remained gracious and without seething anger.
--Ajit Dongre
Thank you very much for writing the column on the Black Male Code. I've been thinking a lot lately about that very topic lately -- because of Trayvon Martin, and because my wife and I (who are both white) are about to adopt an African boy. Your column was hard to read because it reflects a sad reality in the U.S., but you managed to do so while still being even-handed towards white America. You also gave me a few good pointers on how I can talk to my son about the challenges he'll face because of his race. I'm sure it's rewarding for you as a journalist to know when you've written something that really affected someone. You definitely did that with your column today.
--Ward Binns