Black and brown parents revisit 'the talk' with their children as school year unfolds

Chicago parents are “revisiting the talk” as the school year unfolds, emphasizing conversations about systemic racism and racial profiling. The story frames back-to-school interactions as unpredictable, but says one message has endured for generations: equipping Black and brown children with guidance to protect themselves during racialized encounters involving police and others. Joy Sapp recalls having the talk with her sons after earlier school-age years, and describes adding friends to the discussions so children can recognize bias, de-escalate situations, and leave harmful scenarios. The article ties renewed urgency to the death of Nolan Wells, a Black teen whose July Fourth trip off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast ended with his body found days later; an independent autopsy listed the cause of death as “undetermined,” and a Mississippi grand jury declined indictments.