Racial bias in law enforcement is nothing new. Policies like Stop & Frisk (which disproportionately targets Black and Hispanic communities; the vast majority of Black and Hispanic people who have been stopped and frisked were innocent) and the broken windows model of policing (a questionable method of policing that calls for law enforcement to focus on less serious crimes in the hopes of reducing fear and resident withdrawal from a community–the idea being that high levels of resident withdrawal and fear cause serious crime to move into a neighborhood) are official policies that disproportionately target Black and Hispanic communities. Then there are the unofficial cases of racial bias, seen in the extrajudicial murders of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Darrien Hunt, or Tamir Rice. Then there are all the daily inconveniences and microaggressions like black people being racially profiled in department stores, being automatically thought of as drug users, or being arrested for trivial offenses that are normally ticket-worthy at best. For many in the U.S., there are two America’s. In White America, murderous drunk drivers get a slap on the wrist, vandalism and civil unrest are met with minimal police response (and certainly not the response seen in the initial days of protests in Ferguson), and mass murderers can shoot 72 people (and kill 12) and be taken in alive. In Black America, peacefully protesting a racially motivated murder results in a show of extreme force by law enforcement, walking with your hands in your pocket is cause for concern, and stating that you’re treated unfairly by law enforcement can lead to being choked to death. Black Americans face a completely different response from law enforcement than White Americans, even when the same offense is committed. Two new hashtags arose in the wake of the NY grand jury announcement that no one would be charged in the choking death of Eric Garner. The #AliveWhileBlack hashtag documents stories of racial bias by law enforcement experienced by Black Americans (it’s sister hashtag #CrimingWhileWhite documents examples of white privilege in the criminal justice system). It should be required reading for anyone who denies the lived experiences of black people–if they were inclined to give a shit. Which a great many people don’t (hence the saying “black lives don’t matter”). Here are a few of my favorite Tweets from #AliveWhileBlack:
stopped by cops while driving to class @ 8am. 2 cops took my info nd came back saying i had a broken tail light. i didn't. #alivewhileblack
— Zahra (@ZBashir) December 4, 2014
Being questioned by Los Angeles police about why I was walking at midnight. I was wearing a hoodie and sweatpants. #alivewhileblack
— Austin Coleman (@AustinCole0) December 4, 2014
In my teens..went to exchange shirt at Macy's w/rcpt ..5 min later…was in handcuffs…accused of theft….#alivewhileblack
— Duggy (@DwayneDuggerII) December 4, 2014
was working in retail & picked up a shift at another store. security guard profiled me over the walkie when i walked in #AliveWhileBlack
— Franchesca Ramsey (@chescaleigh) December 4, 2014
Got into an ivy league school with a 3.9 GPA. Told it was affirmative action by a legacy kid who's parents are donors #alivewhileblack
— Christina Blacken (@CBlacken) December 4, 2014
Cops tried to tie me to a brawl at MSG in NYC. Kept asking "Where did you watch the game?" I said "I don't watch sports." #AliveWhileBlack
— Elon James White (@elonjames) December 4, 2014
At 20 jumped a turnstile due to lost wallet. A ticket-able offense. Was arrested & questioned on my whereabouts day before. #AliveWhileBlack
— Elon James White (@elonjames) December 4, 2014
PULLED OVER: NJ TURNPIKE wasnt speeding. asked where i was going. showed my RUTGERS PROFESSOR ID. still wouldnt believe me #alivewhileblack
— liza sabater (@blogdiva) December 4, 2014
Walking to library. Campus security stops me and asks for ID. Several times. Claims I don't "look" like a law student. #AliveWhileBlack
— Rugged Amethyst (@GrooveSDC) December 4, 2014
Stopped b/c child "did not look like he shld be w/me"Asked to prove my light-skinned nephew was not being kidnapped #alivewhileblack
— karla fc holloway (@ProfHolloway) December 4, 2014
One might ask why this hashtag is trending. The answer can be summed up with this Tweet:
This is why #alivewhileblack is necessary. Our narratives, as valid and heartbreaking are still considered "made up." pic.twitter.com/pt9Zu7mr7B
— Nina Mosley (@ForRevolution) December 4, 2014