In my mid teens I was an Army cadet and for an adult career I wanted to join a junior leaders brigade to eventually become an officer. When I shared my desire with my mum (you know what Black mothers are like) she said a categorical NO! Being her obedient child (because “as big as you are I’ll box you down”) I didn’t enlist.

Mother’s are so insightful, she knew what would face me if I did sign up. She couldn’t shield me from all racism but she could do what she could so that I wouldn’t deliberately put myself in harms way.

Thanks for sharing Rebecca