As we prepared to leave Minneapolis, I asked myself, “What are the chances our home could be destroyed tonight?” This contemplation arose on the eve of the fifth night of protests following the tragic death of George Floyd. My husband and I found ourselves analyzing the risks specific to our block, which included a nearby gas station and local businesses in an area rife with turmoil. The moment we began debating the likelihood of danger, I realized it was time to prioritize our children’s safety and evacuate.
I reached out to the other families on our block via text. By nightfall, as the city began implementing measures to secure residents—like advising us to chain dumpsters to deter arson—we made the collective decision to relocate our children to a safer environment.
Throughout this process, I wrestled with whether it was right for me, as a white mother with white children, to leave. The ethical implications and the optics of our situation weighed heavily on my mind. It wasn’t until later that I recognized a crucial detail: all the other children in our neighborhood were Black. This was fundamentally about ensuring the safety of children. Hours later, our local City Councilmember echoed our concerns by advising vulnerable populations to evacuate certain areas, emphasizing the need to protect children and elders. Keeping kids safe is the responsibility of every adult, irrespective of race.
Explaining our evacuation to my two-year-old and four-year-old was unavoidable amidst the chaos. I began, “We’re going to pack some essentials into bags and head out in the car for a few days. We’re doing this to keep you safe, and although I don’t know exactly where we’re going or when we’ll be back, I promise we’ll be together.”
I reassured them that it’s natural to wonder why this is happening. “I share your confusion. Right now, many people are upset because of the injustice that led to George Floyd’s death, prompting protests for fairness. This righteous anger is important, but sometimes anger can lead people to act recklessly. While we support those seeking justice, we can’t expose you to danger. It’s our duty to protect you.”
I then touched on the second issue: the persistent belief that Black individuals do not deserve the same safety as white individuals. “This is an unjust and racist belief. To explain, let’s talk about buckets. Each of us has a bucket for good feelings. We fill our buckets by being kind to others. Unfortunately, some people think they can fill their buckets by taking from others. This doesn’t work and only leaves their buckets empty.”
I continued, “Those with racist beliefs are essentially trying to dip into the buckets of Black people. They don’t realize that true fulfillment comes from helping others fill their buckets, too. Thankfully, there are many bucket-fillers in our community—protesters advocating for justice, neighbors protecting their homes, and people donating to rebuild what was lost. Together, we can create a supportive environment.”
Finally, I explained the third reason for our situation: the urgency of those demanding justice. “For years, many have used their voices to express the injustices in our community. When their words went unheard, they resorted to actions to make their message clear. It’s our responsibility to listen and learn from these actions. Just like we would address mistakes within our family, we must confront societal wrongs by saying, ‘I was wrong. What can I do to make it right?’”
As we loaded the last of our belongings, I emphasized the importance of addressing these systemic issues. It is the responsibility of adults to rectify these injustices.
At a gas station stop, I helped my kids fasten their masks before heading inside. Wearing our masks has become a habit to protect those around us, much like listening to the calls for justice from the Black community. We must heed their messages and take action to ensure everyone’s safety—this is what I do for my children.
In summary, the conversation I had with my children during our evacuation from Minneapolis highlighted the complexities of societal injustices and the importance of ensuring safety for all children, regardless of race. It underscored the need for unity and support within our community, reminding us that truly caring for one another means listening and responding to the needs of others.