Privileged to roam unscathed

LeVar Burton recently explained how he comports himself when approached or stopped by police, and it is quite involved because as a black man he thinks it’s necessary, even for survival. His remarks bring back memories of a trip I took as a 17-year-old. I had an old car, could wander far from home and had a thing for Illinois.

As I crossed the state line I started thinking of my money and figured it would only get me enough gas to make it back home. I parked the car and started hitchhiking. I had gotten to the next town and was stopped by a cop. A farmer had reported my abandoned car with the two guns in it, which I had stolen from the store where I worked after school. The cop called my mother, took me back to the car, never even questioned the guns, and told me to go back home.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Trayvon Martin lately and thank my lucky stars that I was the proper color. Now at age 77, I’m still wandering around Miami with my free transportation pass.

Tom Webber, Miami

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