Ama Yawson Reading- The Talk: A Black Family’s Conversation about Racism and Police Brutality

It is time for “the talk.” As much as African American parents wish that they can shelter their kids from the harsh realities of prejudice, stereotyping, racism, and police brutality, it is not feasible. The horrifying deaths of children such as Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, and Aiyana Stanley-Jones prove that children, no matter how young, can become victims of the horrid cancer of American racism, police brutality, and militarized police forces. There is no “talk” that can completely prevent such horrific incidents. However, parents must still attempt to awaken their children to life’s challenges, prepare them for potential police encounters, and assure them that despite the obstacles of African American life, there is an abundance of hope for a brighter future and we must work to shape that better future.

Ama Karikari-Yawson earned a BA from Harvard University, an MBA from the Wharton School and a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Her unique understanding of social issues, business and the law has enabled her to become a relevant voice on issues as varied as diversity, sexual violence, and personal empowerment. She is a frequent contributor to publications such as The Huffington Post and The Atlantic. In 2013, a painful experience with bullying inspired her to write her best-selling fable about difference, Sunne’s Gift. Ms. Yawson became so personally invested in spreading the book’s message of healing and harmony, that she quit her six-figure job as a securities lawyer to become a full-time, author, storyteller, speaker, and edutainer. Her life-changing workshops and training sessions incorporate storytelling, drama, dance, history, cutting edge psychological research and legal analysis in order to truly propel participants towards healthier and more successful lives. She is also the creator of the folkloric character for Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa Nana. Through the Kwanzaa Nana series, students learn practical tools for community activism and social justice. Ms. Karikari-Yawson lives in the New York area with her husband and two kids and she continues to write books, perform stories, and conduct training programs.