Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Black Teen Shares The 'Unwritten Rules' His Mom Makes Him Follow When He Leaves The House In Powerful TikTok Video

Black Teen Shares The 'Unwritten Rules' His Mom Makes Him Follow When He Leaves The House In Powerful TikTok Video
@skoodupcam/TikTok

A Black teen revisited a list of unwritten rules his mother instilled in him as a young boy for a new TikTok video.

As the nation protests against racial bias in law enforcement and police brutality in the wake of the murder of George Floyd—the unarmed Black man who was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25—these rules for staying safe on a daily basis showed the different reality for Black people—especially Black men—in America more than ever.


Cameron Welch, 18, made a video in which he recited his mother's list of "don'ts" he had cumulatively memorized by the time he was 11, and captioned it with:

"Jus some unwritten rules my mom makes me follow as a young black man#blacklivesmatter."
@skoodupcam Jus some unwritten rules my mom makes me follow as a young black man ##fyp ##blacklivesmatter
♬ original sound - marcappalott

Welch's video has now gone viral with over 10.4 million views.

The extensive list he learned as a child for avoiding suspicion and surviving while out in public still applies for him today as a grown Black man.

They include:

– Don't put your hands in your pockets.

– Don't put your hoodie on.

– Don't be outside without a shirt on.

– Check in with your people, even if you're down the street.

– Don't be out too late.

– Don't touch anything you're not buying.

– Never leave the store without a receipt or a bag, even if it's just a pack of gum.

– Never make it look like there's an altercation between you and someone else.

– Never leave the house without your ID.

– Don't drive with a wifebeater [white tank top] on.

– Don't drive with a du-rag [head covering] on.

– Don't go out in public with a wifebeater or a du-rag.

– Don't ride with the music too loud.

– Don't stare at a Caucasian woman.

– If a cop stops you randomly and starts questioning you, don't talk back, just compromise.

– If you ever get pulled over, put your hands on the dashboard and ask if you can get your license and registration out.

WFAA CBS 8 of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas spoke to him about his video post.

Unwritten rules: The conversation black parents have to have with their sonsyoutu.be

Welch told the Huffington Post why he decided to share the codes of conduct many Black people in America think about on a daily basis.

"In this moment in our country, it was necessary for me to use my voice, so I put out the video."
"I wanted people to hear and understand the real truth of a Black man's daily experience."

One user commented on the unfairness of the rules just for staying alive.

"This isn't fair. White people need to realize just how privileged we are. we didn't have to worry about any of this! #blm."

Another user understood the reality of what it's like for Black people to go outside.

"It's said we have to follow a checklist to stay safe :(. This has meaning brotha."

@skoodupcam/TikTok


@skoodupcam/TikTok


@skoodupcam/TikTok


@skoodupcam/TikTok


@skoodupcam/TikTok


@skoodupcam/TikTok

People who have not experienced this reality were disheartened by the list.


@skoodupcam/TikTok


@skoodupcam/TikTok


@skoodupcam/TikTok


@skoodupcam/TikTok


@skoodupcam/TikTok

Welch added that he hoped his video made enough of an impression for change.

"I want people to see that we need change and that no one should have to live like this."

We are listening, Cameron. And we see you.

More from Trending

Screenshot of Bill Burr
Jimmy Kimmel Live/YouTube

Comedian Bill Burr Epically Rips Republicans For Claiming Homeless People Started L.A. Wildfires

Comedian and actor Bill Burr spoke out on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to criticize Republicans for claiming that homeless people are responsible for starting the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires.

The forecast for Santa Ana winds in Southern California intensified again this week, with officials warning of a heightened “risk of large fire growth” starting Monday. On Sunday, the National Weather Service office in Oxnard issued its most severe red flag fire weather warning, known as a “particularly dangerous situation” alert.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lady Gaga with red hair wearing a red dress with big sleeves and a made up tear on her cheek.
Samir Hussein / Contributor/Getty Images

Woman Does Hilarious Double Take After Spotting Lady Gaga At A Mostly Empty Burger King

Even superstars have cravings for fast food now and then.

Including Oscar and 13-time Grammy-award-winning superstar Stefan Germanotta, better known to her legion of fans as Lady Gaga.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joel McHale
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Joel McHale Joins 'Scream 7' As Neve Campbell's Husband—And Fans Are All Thinking The Same Thing

The Scream 7 casting and production is off to a rocky start.

Deadline first reported that the movie has moved on to a new Mark. Patrick Dempsey's Mark Kincaid character will be nowhere to be seen, and the series has cast Community's Joel McHale as a completely different character, also named Mark, to be the husband of Neve Campbell's character Sidney Prescott.

Keep ReadingShow less
Elon Musk
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Neo-Nazis Celebrate After Elon Musk Appeared To Give Nazi Salute At Trump Inauguration Parade

After billionaire Elon Musk appeared to give a "Nazi salute" to the crowd at a Trump rally during yesterday's inauguration festivities, not once but twice, neo-Nazis celebrated his actions in their online channels.

Following President Donald Trump's swearing-in, Musk spoke at a rally held at D.C.'s Capital One Arena and said:

Keep ReadingShow less
Timothée Chalamet
BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP via Getty Images

Timothée Chalamet Rode E-Bike To Film Premiere And Got Fined For It—And People Are Obsessed

Academy Award nominee Timothée Chalamet caused a stir when arriving at the London premiere of his new Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown on a Lime e-bike.

Lime is one of London's most popular shared electric vehicle companies offering an affordable, carbon-free public transportation alternative.

Keep ReadingShow less