Ferguson Kids Have a Message About Racism for White People
Six kids from Ferguson, Missouri, where Michael Brown was shot and killed, have something to say about the state of racism in a humorous video called "Hey White People: A Kinda Awkward Note to America by #Ferguson Kids" created by the T-shirt company FCKH8.com.
"Sometimes white people are like, 'But is racism still a thing?' Spoiler alert: Duh. Just because Beyoncé is on your playlist and you voted for Obama, doesn't mean that our generation has seen the end of racist drama," they say in a series of clips.
"All this focus on race makes me uncomfortable. Uncomfortable? Try being Black," the smart kids continue. They then run down facts about racial disparities in America — from stop-and-frisk numbers to employment discrimination.
"Do you know that employers don't even need to see the color of our skin for the discrimination to begin?" one girl said. "Resumes with Black sounding names, like Tenisha or Tyrone, are 50 percent less likely to get called in for a job interview than the exact same resume with white-sounding names."
The video also had some humorous parts. "Some of my best friends are Black," says one boy. Another boy claps his hands in applause at the fact. "You get a cookie," one of the smallest kids says and holds the reward up to the screen.
During the video, the kids wear T-shirts that declare, "Racism is not over, but I'm over racism."
The video is promoting a fundraiser for five different anti-racism causes. For every tee or hoodie sold, $5 will be donated to organizations fighting to make change, the website states.
Two days before he was set to begin college, Michael Brown, 18, was killed Aug. 9 by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson, Missouri, police officer. The tragic death has brought the issue of police brutality back to the nation's attention. The city of Ferguson has erupted in protests and cries for justice for the teen.
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(Photo: FCKH8.com)