I’m white and I got “the talk” about cops. Plus a handy list of white victims of police violence

I can’t remember how young I was when I got “the talk” about cops. My parents were part of the civil rights movement in Florida, so they had an extra reason to warn me about the police. But many working class kids are taught the basic rules about dealing with people who have the power to lock you up or kill you:

1. Be polite.
2. Move slowly.
3. Keep both hands visible at all times.

One rule changed in my lifetime. Dad’s first advice was to get out of the car when you’re stopped so the police can see you’re unarmed. That rule became:

4. When you’re stopped while driving, stay seated with both hands visible on the steering wheel.

Parents like mine teach two more rules:

5. Don’t let cops into your house unless they show a warrant.

6. If a cop asks if he can search your car or your person, say no.

The rules are based on four principles:

1. Don’t do anything that might scare a cop.
2. Don’t do anything that might make a cop angry.
3. Don’t give an honest cop the chance to find something that’s not yours and arrest you for it.
4. Don’t give a dishonest cop the chance to frame you.