re: Evidently black parents need to have the same talk with their kids that white parents have

My uncle was a cop. Before me or brother ever started driving, he sat us down and told us the following --

- Always say "Yes sir" and "No sir" even if he is an a$$ and/or is younger than you

- Always keep your hand in plain sight on the steering wheel at 10 and 2

- UNDERSTAND that this is a scary situation for any cop coming up to a car because he has no idea who you are or what you may have hidden that he can't see

- Always ask permission to move your hands and let him know exactly where you are going with your hand and what you are getting

- NEVER argue with a cop. If he tells you you were going 90 in a 25 and you KNOW (and, NOW, even have proof) that you were only going 24 just say you didn't realize it and take your ticket

- During the entire process treat him with respect even if he doesn't treat you with respect

With respect to the last one, he told us that if we behaved ourselves even when the cop didn't, he (my uncle the cop) would have a much better chance of talking to the cop and getting the ticket fixed.

He left us with this – just remember that cops are just regular normal human beings. While it is true that some think that they're God with a badge, the vast majority are just trying to get by. Just like everyone else they have their good days and bad days. You might run into one that just got in a fight with his wife and found out she was cheating on him. Keep that in mind when you’re doing your best to treat him with respect and he's being an a$$hole.

I’m sure that there are things I’ve left out, but those were the main points.