I am a white woman, and though I didn’t give birth to this young man, he is my son in every way that matters. For 14 years he has been a part of my heart and my home. My biological children grew up with him as their brother. He has shared our table, our laughter, and our love. I would trust him with my life, and I know he would do the same for me.
I have seen the world treat him unfairly simply because of the color of his skin. I have seen him be accused of things he did not do for the same reason. Each time, my heart broke a little more.
I will always stand beside him. I will fight for him. I will protect him with everything I have. And if I am being honest, it takes every bit of strength in me not to let anger win when I see him hurt.
I will never truly understand what it feels like to live in brown or black skin, but I do know what it feels like to love someone with every piece of your soul who does. I know what it feels like to pray every single day that the world will be kind to him, and that he will always come home safe.
Credit: Kimberley Brown