There is still a huge racism problem in America, which is finally being addressed more seriously after the killing of George Floyd. Living in the US as a person of color comes with challenges that those of us with white privilege will never understand.

It should not be down to black people to help us to understand how it feels to grow up in their shoes. However, many black people across the country are going viral for the insight they are giving us into their own lives. One of these people is Cameron Welch.

At just 18 years old, Cameron has been following a full list of rules that his mom devised for him to help him stay “safe” since he was a child. The young man, who lives in Houston, uploaded a video to TikTok where he explained the list to other users on the app.

@skoodupcamJus some unwritten rules my mom makes me follow as a young black man ##fyp ##blacklivesmatter♬ original sound – marcappalott

Here is his full list of rules:

1. Don’t put your hands in your pockets.

2. Don’t put your hoodie on.

3. Don’t be outside without a shirt on.

4. Check-in with your people, even if you’re down the street.

5. Don’t be out too late.

6. Don’t touch anything you’re not buying.

7. Never leave the store without a receipt or a bag, even if it’s just a pack of gum.

8. Never make it look like there’s an altercation between you and someone else.

9. Never leave the house without your ID.

10. Don’t drive with a wifebeater on.

11. Don’t drive with a du-rag on.

12. Don’t go out in public with a wifebeater or a du-rag.

13. Don’t ride with the music too loud.

14. Don’t stare at a Caucasian woman.

15. If a cop stops you randomly and starts questioning you, don’t talk back, just compromise.

16. If you ever get pulled over, put your hands on the dashboard and ask if you can get your license and registration out.

It’s incredibly depressing that Cameron’s mom felt the need to drill this list of rules into his head. For white moms, it is enough for them to say, “Have a good time and stay safe!” when their son or daughter leaves home. For black moms, telling their children to “stay safe” is simply not enough.

Cameron’s video has taken off big time since he shared it, and has now been viewed more than 10 million times. Speaking to Buzzfeed News about his decision to post the video online, Cameron said:

“I want people to understand the type of things my mom has to instill in me because my people continue to be judged by the color of our skin and not the content of our character, as Martin Luther King Jr. said. It is a required conversation our parents must have to ensure that we come home alive.”

He added:

“Our voices are heard but not felt by the people. We endure too much pain and hurt to just be heard—we need you to feel just a fragment of what my people feel on a day-to-day basis in order to get meaningful change. I believe if you felt the bottled-up emotions of silence that our country makes us hold in, then we can make real change. Because not one race should ever feel this way.”

Incredibly wise words from a young man who should be able to freely enjoy himself without his mom worrying that his life is in danger. Let’s all pray that teens like Cameron will see the right sort of long-0verdue change going forward.

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Source: Daily Dot, TikTok, Buzzfeed News