I read about my quiet little home-town police force, that beat the hell out of a mentally disturbed person who wasn’t posing a threat— they were called only to help get him to a hospital. Hits close to home, and when I’m visiting and see the cops it makes you wonder.
My boss many years ago at AT&T was pulled over for what was clearly a case of “driving while black”. And he was distinguished-looking middle-aged clean-shaven guy driving an expensive car.
For anyone who might doubt that this is the case for pretty much all black folks in the US, I highly encourage you to watch Republican (yes, Republican) Senator Tim Scott’s recent speech about his encounters with law enforcement officials even as a Senator. You can find his full speech on the floor of the Senate here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKgYgqGfeIE.
Thanks for the link, agrestic. It’s important for people, particularly non-Blacks, to know what goes on. It’s not something made up. If a Black man this square (not in the pejorative sense) gets hassled so often, what about someone whos car fits a stereotype? How many people think about buying a car in terms of being less visible to the police?
trixie neuhaus Premium Member about 8 years ago
I’m wif you, Keef. <3
steverinoCT about 8 years ago
I read about my quiet little home-town police force, that beat the hell out of a mentally disturbed person who wasn’t posing a threat— they were called only to help get him to a hospital. Hits close to home, and when I’m visiting and see the cops it makes you wonder.
thedogesl Premium Member about 8 years ago
My boss many years ago at AT&T was pulled over for what was clearly a case of “driving while black”. And he was distinguished-looking middle-aged clean-shaven guy driving an expensive car.
agrestic about 8 years ago
For anyone who might doubt that this is the case for pretty much all black folks in the US, I highly encourage you to watch Republican (yes, Republican) Senator Tim Scott’s recent speech about his encounters with law enforcement officials even as a Senator. You can find his full speech on the floor of the Senate here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKgYgqGfeIE.
spikelovesmusic about 8 years ago
Thanks for the link, agrestic. It’s important for people, particularly non-Blacks, to know what goes on. It’s not something made up. If a Black man this square (not in the pejorative sense) gets hassled so often, what about someone whos car fits a stereotype? How many people think about buying a car in terms of being less visible to the police?