Baywalk Not for Blacks

When I entered the restroom with my five-year-old daughter, Ilexus, she innocently asked me, “Mommy, what are blacks?”

I was shocked and did not know how to respond. I was upset that I had to answer a racial issue with my little girl that daily interacts with her friends, most of which are black children. She even has a close cousin whom is mixed with white and black heritage. To make matters worse, she asked me right in front of two black girls.

“Shortly after the riots, then-Mayor David Fischer proposed an urban renewal plan he called ''Challenge 2001.'' The ambitious goals in economic development, housing, crime reduction and education came with specific numerical targets to be achieved by 2001 in Midtown, the poor southside neighborhood in which the shooting occurred.” (Horstman)

Although I was at a lose for words, I informed her that perhaps they were talking about wearing black shirts, and that it was not allowed there. I know she will have to deal with these issues when she gets older, but I feel that she is too young to expose her to all of the hate in the world. I do not want her to feel like people are different just because they are diverse in features and colors.

Some topics in this essay:
Petersburg FL, David Fischer, St Petersburg, Baywalk Blacks, st petersburg,