One personal experiences I would like to share actually happened on the last day of 2012. Myself and a friend were leaving from a bar, nether of us had anything alcoholic to drink. We went just to spend time with some friends. As we got in our cars and were leaving we noticed that a black car was following us. After a few minutes has passed by the car ended up being a police officer. He put on his lights and pulled us over. My friend was driving so when he came to the window he was like I'm pulling you for not making a complete stop at the stop sign. Then as my friend was talking to the officer and was like No I made a complete stop because there were cars coming. At this time another cop comes along and is shinning a light all through the car. Both cops were white. The cop that was talking to my friend was like I smell alcohol on your breath. At that time we both were like we weren't even drinking. The cop told us to be quite and were lying. The next think I know the cops pull both of us out the car very violently, throws us up against the car and cuffs us. Then they searched our car for no reason. Once they did not find anything in the car they ran both our license and still nothing. Then they gave us both breathalyzers test. They let me go but would not let my friend go. They tried to say she blew way over the drinking limit. So I said to the cop sir we were not drinking that's not possible. He told me to shut up Nigger and mind your business. The ended up taking my friend down to the police station I followed behind. When they take her to the back the ended up letting her go. She told me that the cops boss gave her the test again and it blew zero because she had not been drinking. The boss took the tester from the cop that brought her in and come to find out the thing was broken and the cop new it. The cop proceeds to say I want to make the last arrest of 2012 and the first arrest of 2013. In my mind I was like really this is some BS.
In what way(s) did the specific bias, prejudice and/or oppression in that incident diminish equity?
This oppression/biases of race and being pulled over just because of the color of our skin just made it a know fact that prejudice is alive and because of the color of our skin we were considered to have done something bad or was doing something bad. It shoots down the whole consideration of equity. Because we were black and driving a nice car an assumption was made that we must be up to not good.
What feelings did this incident bring up for you?
This incident brought up a lot of different feeling and emotions. I Really gained the mentality of that you can trust no cop. It gives you the image that the cops are just as bad as any criminal. First feeling we both felt when getting pulled over is scared. We live in an area where racism is very strongly alive. We were taught that if we get pulled by cops in this city to just remain calm and try to come at peace with the office. As the incident went on I felt confusion because I knew we had not been drinking. Then I felt Angry and discriminated against. I felt belittled epically when I was drug out the car for not reason. Once getting to the station and learning what I had learned I was really angry and felt like we were pulled just because the cop was trying to impress his boss.
What and/or who would have to change in order to turn this incident into an opportunity for greater equity?
To turn this incident into greater equity it would take a lot of work. I say this because it would have to start at home because prejudice is taught. Next law enforcement needs to better inform their employees about Social justice, Equity, Prejudice and Diversity. I feel if a Cop is expected of doing these acts or have committed theses acts then drastic measures should be taken. Screening of employees should be taken into place when the job is offered. In order for their to be grater equity there has to be a way to better inform people about culture and diversity. Although this will be a great task cause hatted and biases are mainly taught.
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5 comments:
Chawanda,
What an awful experience! The mistreatment you and your friend received makes me sick. My experience with police officers has shown me that many times the wrong types get the jobs. It takes individuals making some noise to evoke change - like what is happening in Lakeland Fl with the police scandal.
Equity from your situation...lawsuit comes to my mind. Do you feel that all black woman go through this prejudice everywhere? Would Michele Obama go through this if she were not protected by security?
Maria
Hello Chawanda,
I completely agree that this incident is very abusive! I would not expect from any person who faced this to have any other emotional reaction than yours! I also support your thinking of starting the anti-prejudice process at home. Further, I say at school. As early childhood professionals, we are very responsible to create anti-bias solid foundation as young children’s brains are better absorbents than of adults. I also agree that all institutional internal policies must incorporate ongoing supervision and training to its employees in regard to multi-cultural education.
Oh my gosh! I cannot believe you had to go through that! I would have been livid and tried to go after the officer. I dated a cop for 6 years and I know in our city, its required for the police to have personal pocket recorders to tape their stops so they have evidence if threats were made etc. This reminds me of a time six years ago when I was in a bi-racial relationship. It was my first and a huge learning experience for me. He was graduating from the Art Academy and my mom and I had went to his gallery show in downtown Cincinnati. After he showing, he told me that he would meet me at my parents house before he drove home because he lived another 45 minutes north and wanted to stop through before heading home. He stopped by around 10 p.m. and I went out and set in his Cadillac Escalade to talk about his showing and just spend a few minutes together. We were parked on the street in front of my parents house and the streets were all one way around the block. We were idling with no lights on. I remember seeing a cop drive past us and then they circled the block and came by again. I thought it was weird because they rarely even came down into our neighborhood. Next thing I know, three cop cars are blocking us in and have their spot lights shined on us. There is a cop on each side of our windows. They ran his plates, took his license and then made him get out of the car.. and the poor man was in a white suit. They then made me roll my window down and wanted my ID but I didn’t have it on me but I told them I lived here. He tried to get me to give him my social but I refused. I ended up hearing my ex’s voice and when he came around and realized it was me, they let us go. They said they were looking for someone and we looked suspicious. I thought it was a bunch of crap and they had targeted him because he was black and had an escalade in the neighborhood, which is rare. I am not black myself but I was humiliated at the situation and could not believe prejudice people can be.
Hi Chawanda
As am reading your post all I keep saying is "are you kidding me." This is such an unfortunate experience and I thank you for sharing it with us and show us once again how real prejudice and discrimination are. My friend got arrested because he looked looked like someone they were looking for even after he showed the officers his ID which they thought was fake. You are absolutely right, In order for their to be grater equity there has to be a way to better inform people about culture and diversity.
Brittney Perkins I can so relate to your incident as well. My sister in law is white and we are always exspereince some type of Discrimination. Even when riding down the street people have flicked us off, make faces at us, not want to serve us. It is just so crazy the types of treatment that we have to go through. DR. Martin Luther King wish for equality is far from being met.
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