I couldn't believe my ears...

I was telling my kid that base law says you have to wear your helmet when riding your bike.  His friend   (who happens to be black) was there too, so he got involved in the conversation.  I told them that if they cops caught them riding without helmets they'd be in trouble - and that'd be double for my kid because his dad's a cop so Jake damn well knows better.

His friend says he doesn't have a helmet, and goes into his kitchen to tell his momma that he doesnt have a helmet so he can't ride his bike (we're standing at the end of our cul-de-sac on the sidewalk in front of this kids house)

Him: "I can't ride my bike without a helmet.  Jake's momma says it's the base law and his dad's a cop.   If I get busted the cops'll come and tell you and I'll be in trouble"

Her"  Aint nobody gonna tell me nothing. You go ride all you want.  Besides, what're they gonna do?  Tell me you can't? They aint gonna talk to a black woman like that."

Yes, she did.  Tossed out the race card, even before anyone had said anything to her.

Now before anyone goes off on a tangent about racisim, let me say this:  I'm just repeating what I heard.  I'm not the one bringing race into it.  It started out as a conversation about bike riding and helmets, and turned into "it's because I'm black" defense.

All the progress made against prejudice...it's all too easily undone.