White People Have Been Dialing 911 On Black People Since 911 Was Invented
It was his first day on the job. A 12-year-old kid with a newspaper route, that rite of passage for so many American boys and girls. Uriah Sharp gathered the pile of newspapers he was to deliver and set out with his mother and older brother to their assigned neighborhood of Upper Arlington, Ohio, an affluent Columbus suburb.
That’s where Sharp, a young African-American boy excited to earn a little money, instead encountered a lesson far more enduring than the value of hard work: the insidious persistence of American racism. Sharp had only delivered a few papers before police descended on him and his mother. The police had been summoned by a woman who called 911 because of the two “suspicious” African-Americans she saw approaching houses in her heavily white suburb. (Less than 1 percent of Upper Arlington residents are African-American, according to the 2010 census.)
Last week’s incident in Upper Arlington comes as just the latest entry in a too-long list of white Americans who have called the 911 emergency service on their black neighbors for doing nothing illegal at all, including: hanging out in a Philadelphia Starbucks, sleeping in a dorm common room at Yale, entering their rented Airbnb in California and grilling out in an Oakland park.
These are just the high-profile instances from the last three months. But as a former 911 dispatcher recently wrote in Vox ― and as far too many people of color know all too well ― white Americans make racist calls to 911 on a daily basis, using the emergency service as a personal hotline to vent their paranoid fantasies while imperiling the lives of African-Americans and other persons of color.
These incidents provide a particularly cruel reminder of how easily a system designed to ensure the public’s safety ― which for many has been a life-saving advance ― can become just another tool of racist violence.
Perhaps that use shouldn’t be surprising given the origin story of 911. Created 50 years ago this year, the national emergency system grew out of President Lyndon Johnson’s 1967 Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice, a group Johnson tasked with solving “the problems of crime in our nation,” he explained.
911’s ease and accessibility permitted far darker abuses than just an overworked police force.
With a rising national crime rate in the late 1960s, many Americans felt the urgency of that work. But perceptions of crime, especially for white Americans, were also shaped by the societal changes underway, including the anti-Vietnam War protests and the civil rights movement. “Some have become suspicious of those they conceive to be responsible for crime,” the commission’s report noted, including, “Negroes” and “demonstrators.” To tackle the crime problem, the commission called for the creation of a “single, uniform police number” Americans could call in emergencies.
“Need Help? 911 Will Be Magic Number,” a Chicago Tribune headline enthused as the first 911 systems were released in early 1968. From the start, though, Americans tended to misuse the emergency service. A New York Times story in 1969 found people called 911 to report their heat wasn’t working, ask about the city’s parking rules, and, in one case, inquire how to get a divorce. The emergency number “has destroyed what might be called an inhibition barrier,” a New York City official complained at the time. “People call 911 on the slightest pretext.” Nonemergencies made up about 60 percent of the calls the department received that year.
As 911 services slowly expanded across the nation — it took until 2000 for more than 90 percent of Americans to have access to the emergency system — different jurisdictions passed laws against improper calls to the service. Prank calls, for example, are illegal in most places. But laws vary by state for other abuses, including making false reports or using the service to harass others (such as calling 911 to send firetrucks to an ex-girlfriend’s home when it’s not in flames).
Officials have been hesitant to prosecute such infractions, however, because of the fear that cracking down on the misuse of 911 will discourage legitimate calls, particularly of those from marginalized groups or victims of domestic violence.
When white Americans feel entitled to regularly call in their racist suspicions to 911, the results can be no less than disastrous.
Yet that broad tolerance for its misuse has allowed 911 to be used to terrorize African-Americans. In a nation where far too many people associate blackness with criminality and danger, black people live under heightened suspicion as they go about their daily lives, especially in majority-white settings.
That’s an overwhelming reality in itself. But when white Americans feel entitled to regularly call in their racist suspicions to 911, the results can be no less than disastrous. At worst, such calls, as far too many stories of late make clear, can lead to deadly ends, no matter the innocence of those involved. At best, it means that African-Americans live under constant surveillance, harassment and intimidation brought about, in part, by a simple three-digit phone call.
In recent years, Americans have begun to understand how systemic police brutality endangers the lives of black people in the U.S. But less recognized is how the casual racism of everyday Americans often initiates those deadly police responses.
When 911 launched 50 years ago, some authorities warned that the system’s convenience could cause clogged phone lines and unnecessary police action. But 911’s ease and accessibility permitted far darker abuses than just an overworked police force. It provided a direct line for white racists, often anonymously and with rare penalty, to activate law enforcement against their black neighbors. Among the instruments of white privilege, 911 now must surely be included.
Neil J. Young is a historian and the author of We Gather Together: The Religious Right and the Problem of Interfaith Politics. He hosts the history podcast “Past Present.”
Source: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/opinion-young-911-racist_us_5b48f3f8e4b0e7c958fb21ed
2 CVS Employees Fired After Calling the Cops on Black Woman Who Was Just Trying to Use a Coupon
UPDATE The bigoted racist white CVS Manager dubbed coopon carl who was shaking with fear of an African American Black lady named Camilla Hudson who called the police because he ASSUMED facts NOT in evadence. That Miss Hudson was trying to pass off a fraudulent store coopon. Has been FIRED!! Appearently there was another scared bigoted racist white person employee who also cringed with fear and dubble deared coupon carl to call the police.
Must be nice to write checks your racist bigoted MOUTH cannot pay. ( SARCASM INTENDED)
The backlash continues after “Coupon Carl” called the police on a black woman who was trying to use a manufacturer’s coupon in store, accusing the woman of forgery.
The retail and healthcare giant announced on Monday that it had fired two employees at a Chicago-area store, mere days after the woman in question — Camilla Hudson, posted a video showing a white man calling the cops on her.
“We have completed our investigation, and as a result the two colleagues who were involved are no longer employed by CVS Health,” the tweeted-out statement by the company read. “CVS Health does not tolerate any practices that discriminate against any customer and we are committed to maintaining a welcome and diverse environment in our stores.”
CVS Statement on Chicago Store Incident pic.twitter.com/H4h3akdMzs
— CVS Pharmacy (@cvspharmacy) July 16, 2018
Presumably, Coupon Carl, legally known as Morry Matson, was a part of the pair dismissed, however, CVS declined to identify the pair only specifying that “they were both employed as shift supervisors at the store,” the New York Times reports.
Matson, interestingly enough, is presumably running for 48th Ward alderman, promising “increased police present throughout Alderman Matson’s 48th Ward,” however the campaign site that was cited by the Chicago Sun-Times is no longer active.
Matson also is listed as the president of the Illinois chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans, which advocates for LGBTQ conservatives, but the chapter’s website page was also offline on Monday, and the group confirmed to the NYT that they had terminated the chapter’s provisional charter after hearing about Matson’s conduct.
Source: https://www.theroot.com/2-cvs-employees-fired-after-calling-the-cops-on-black-w-1827651336
Warrant Issued for 16-Year-Old Accused of Throwing Objects Hurling Racial Slurs at Black Tennessee Cyclist [Updated]
Updated: Tuesday, July 17, 2018; 3:15p.m. EDT: Chattanooga, Tenn., police have tracked down the driver of the vehicle from which a passenger allegedly threw bottles and cans at a black cyclist.
According to WRCBTV, the driver acknowledged that the incident occurred when questioned by police and identified the passenger who is accused of throwing items at the cyclist, Charles Peacock.
The suspect is 16 years old, and police have filed a warrant in juvenile court. The suspect, however, has yet to be located.
According to the news station, the police department says that they will aggressively investigate any assault against vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians.
Earlier:
A Chattanooga, Tenn., cyclist was assaulted and called racial slurs while riding his bike along his usual route in an incident that left his arm swollen.
Charles Peacock, the cyclist, captured the incident himself through the three cameras that he has mounted on his helmet and bike that were recording during his ride down Hickory Valley Road, according to WRCBTV.
The incident occurred last Monday. Peacock’s cameras show a black Ford Edge SUV driving up behind him, two white people clearly visible from a passenger window and the sunroof.
“He was about 20 to 25 yards behind me. He was already out of the window from his waist, drawn back with the object in his hand, getting ready to throw it,” Peacock said.
As the SUV passed, he felt something – which looked like an empty bottle – hit his arm.
“After they threw it, they said ‘I got that (expletive) N-word,’” the cyclist recalled.
“I couldn’t get a good look at him. Like I said my main focus right then was keeping control of that bike and keep from running out into traffic and getting hit,” he added.
The assault left Peacock’s arm sore and severely bruised.
“It was just uncalled for,” he added, noting that it’s not the first time he’s been met by animosity while out riding his bike. “That’s not the first time I had a racial slur said to me while riding a bike, but as far as someone to actually throw something at me like that, I feel like that’s going too far.”
However, despite his bandaged arm, Peacock remains in good spirits, laughing through it all.
“They’re not going to run me away. I’m going to keep riding,” he said defiantly.
As for the human trash bags that through the object, police are still looking for them. The Ford Edge’s tag number is R17 84N. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police.
Source: https://www.theroot.com/white-passengers-caught-on-camera-throwing-objects-hur-1827664331?utm_medium=socialflow&utm_source=theroot_facebook
Man tried to kill wife with ant poison
A North Carolina man has been arrested and charged after police say he tried to kill his wife with ant poison.
Authorities said Eugene Richard Pittman, 52, of Hope Mills, N.C., has been charged with attempted first-degree murder.
According to the arrest warrant, Eugene’s wife noticed a funny taste in her meal. The woman said she woke up later to find that her hands and mouth were duct taped, and Eugene was holding her nose shut.
She said Eugene told her she had two choices: that she could leave or she could die.
Police said Pittman willfully “attempted to murder his wife by poisoning her food with Terro ant poison.”
via: http://abc7chicago.com/man-tried-to-kill-wife-with-ant-poison-police-say/3776226/
Destiny’s Child Singer Michelle Williams Says She Is Seeking Mental Health Help
LOS ANGELES) — Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams says she’s seeking help for the depression she has struggled with for years.
Williams said in an Instagram post Tuesday that she has “sought help from a great team of health care professionals.”
She gave no specifics on her treatment, and a message left with her manager seeking details was not immediately returned.
Williams’ post says that for years she has dedicated herself to increasing awareness of mental health and empowering people to seek help. She says she recently decided to listen to the advice she has given, and wants to lead by example in seeking treatment.
The 37-year-old Williams was a core member of Destiny’s Child, the trio with Beyonce Knowles and Kelly Rowland that sat atop the R&B world from 1997 to 2006.
Model walks the runway while breastfeeding
A model taking part in a Sports Illustrated swimwear fashion show stole the spotlight with one of the most unusual runway walks ever. Mara Martin strutted during Miami Swim Week while breastfeeding her 5-month-old daughter, reports People.
In a video clip, you can hear the audience cheering when they realize what’s happening. (The baby is wearing protective ear muffs.)
“I can’t believe I am waking up to headlines with me and my daughter in them for doing something I do every day,” wrote Martin on Instagram after the weekend show.
“But to be honest, the real reason I can’t believe it is a headline is because it shouldn’t be a headline! My story of being a mother and feeding her while walking is just that,” wrote Martin, who was one of 16 models chosen to take part in the show at W South Beach hotel from an open casting call.
Sports Illustrated swimsuit editor MJ Day says it was a spur-of-the-moment decision.
“When I was talking with the girls backstage prior to the show beginning, I saw that Mara’s baby was sleeping and peacefully nursing,” she tells Sports Illustrated. “I asked Mara if she would want to walk and continue to nurse. She said ‘Oh my gosh, yes!’”
via: https://pix11.com/2018/07/17/model-walks-the-runway-while-breastfeeding/
Crying baby boy dies while in ‘time out,’ NJ parents charged with murder
NEW JERSEY — Parents, upset their 4-month-old son was crying, covered him with a comforter and went out for a smoke, only coming back inside after their baby had stopped breathing, prosecutors said Tuesday.
William Herring, 42 and Brianna Brochhausen, 22, were living at the Hilltop Motel in Springfield Township when they allegedly killed their son, Hunter, on Valentine’s Day. They decided Hunter needed a “time out” because he would not stop crying.
They put him on his stomach on a bed, pulled the comforter completely over him and left to smoke, investigators said. Hunter wasn’t breathing when they came back.
He was rushed to a local hospital, but he had minimal brain activity. Hunter breathed with the assistance of a respirator for several weeks and died on March 3 after life support was removed.
Herring and Brochhausen were initially charged with endangering the welfare of a child, but the prosecutors upgraded the charges against them. They’re now facing murder charges in connection with their son’s death.
“The thoughtless actions of these individuals ended up costing a defenseless 4-month-old infant his life,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, the New Jersey State Police Superintendent.
Houseguest accused of biting off part of woman’s nose, swallowing it
CONROE, Texas – A Texas woman is accused of biting off a large chunk of another woman’s nose and swallowing it, according to KIAH.
“I’m 28 years old. I don’t have a nose anymore,” said the victim, identified as “Tatiana,” who spoke with KTRK.
Cops say Jessica Collins, 41, tagged along with Tatiana and her neighbor to a bar Wednesday, but when they got back to the house, Collins demanded alcohol and cigarettes. Tatiana hadn’t met Collins – who was temporarily staying with her neighbor – before that night, according to KTRK.
When Tatiana didn’t give her what she wanted and asked her to leave, Collins allegedly tackled Tatiana, bit off a piece of her nose, and swallowed it.
“I didn’t have time to react, to push her away. I think I was trying to fight back, but I couldn’t. All I could remember was the taste of the blood in my mouth,” Tatiana recalled.
“I’ve seen a lot. I’ve seen other parts bit off. I mean, it does happen,” Constable Mark Herman from the Harris County Constable’s Office said. “This case here is probably the first we’ve had in probably four or five years, but it does happen.”
Tatiana, who says she doesn’t have health insurance, needs major surgery and only has a couple weeks to get it done. Doctors say the surgery gets more complicated if the wound starts to heal.
Her friends have started a GoFundMe to raise money for the surgery (Warning: link contains graphic images).
Collins was charged with misdemeanor assault-bodily injury and was released from jail Monday after
posting bond.
via: https://pix11.com/2018/07/17/houseguest-accused-of-biting-off-part-of-womans-nose-swallowing-it/
Nickelodeon is bringing back Rugrats for a TV revival and “live-action” movie
The best thing about today’s reboot-happy culture is that none of us ever really need to grow up and move on from the things we liked as children, and nothing has ever illustrated that more clearly than Nickelodeon announcing today that it’s bringing back Rugrats. In a press release, the network announced that it’s reviving the classic baby cartoon for a new, 26-episode season and a “live-action film featuring CGI characters”—which we have a number of questions about, but we’ll get back to that.
The new season of the TV show is coming from the original creators and it’s being billed as a “relaunch,” which we assume means it’ll be a continuation of the original series and not a revival. The official art that Nickelodeon released (see above) corroborates this, as it features the two characters who were added later in the show’s run. Phil and Lil aren’t there, but we assume that’s because Tommy’s annoying brother is way too important to leave off of an image like this and not because they’re being left out of the new episodes. (Though it would be an interesting twist if Phil and Lil are like the Dale Cooper of this revival.)
As for the movie, we’re just a little anxious about how Rugrats could be a “live-action film featuring CGI characters.” Will CG versions of the Rugratscharacters be interacting with real live humans? Because as much affection as we have for these stinky babies, that sounds horrifying. Or will all of the characters be CG and, say, Spike the dog is played by a real dog? Because that seems kind of silly. Also, will Phil and Lil be there? And can the movie just be a feature-length adaptation of “Big People,” the best Rugrats episode ever made?
Anyway, the movie is being written by David Goodman and will be in theaters on November 13, 2020, so make sure to have already voted when you go see it.
Article via: Nickelodeon is bringing back Rugrats for a TV revival and “live-action” movie
Weinstein Co. Saga Comes to an End as $289 Million Sale to Lantern Closes
Weinstein was a name the general public barely knew, but drove Hollywood – that is until last fall. The NY Times wrote an expose on Weinstein last fall detailing his sexual crimes against actresses, models and other women in the entertainment industry.
With its $289 million sale to Lantern Capital Partners having closed today, the Weinstein Co. saga comes to an end. Co-founded by brothers Harvey and Bob Weinstein in 2005 with plans to become a major multimedia company, TWC — despite back-to-back best picture Oscar wins for The King’s Speech and The Artist as well as several Emmy trophies for shows like Project Runway— never lived up to all its grand ambitions. And, having struggled financially in recent years, it was forced into bankruptcy in the wake of the dozens of allegations surrounding Harvey Weinstein, who has since been charged with six counts of sexual assault and rape in Manhattan.
Even before he was enveloped by scandal, Harvey Weinstein’s golden touch when it came to courting Oscar had begun to lose its luster. Between their days at Miramax and TWC, the Weinsteins have claimed 341 Oscar nominations and 81 Academy Award wins. When the nominations for the 88th Oscars were announced in 2016, TWC collect 10 nominations for Carol and The Hateful Eight, but no best picture or director noms. And while the list of 2017 nominations saw Lion score six nominations, including best picture, the company’s other awards hopeful The Founder was shut out.
Now, it will be up to Lantern and the leadership it appoints to pick up the pieces. During the course of the bankruptcy proceedings, a deal was struck to move Project Runway from Lifetime back to Bravo, where it originally aired. And there are a number of unreleased films that have been stuck in limbo — period drama The Current War, starring Benedict Cumberbatch; biblical tale Mary Magdalene, starring Rooney Mara; and the odd-couple comedy The Upside, starring Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston — that could be sold off to other distributors.
Article via: Weinstein Co. Saga Comes to an End as $289 Million Sale to Lantern Closes