Issues Under Fire: For Whites Only

Issues Under Fire: For Whites Only

With the recent rash of events of people of color having the police called on them for being in spaces seemingly reserved for Whites only, perhaps it's time to revisit Jim Crow. No, really. During the Jim Crow days, Blacks knew where they could go and enjoy a movie, shop for clothing, hang out with friends or vacation with relatives without being harassed, having to answer questions or present credentials and identification simply to justify their presence. As of late, it seems as though a person of color need only breathe in spaces where White people are present to be considered suspicious enough to have the authorities set upon them. Walking while Black. Talking while Black. Driving while Black and now, even napping while Black is enough for a While person to call a cop. Please, allow me to make my case.

Pennsylvania: Five Black women were golfing, or trying to, when they were told they were golfing too slowly. They were offered a refund of their membership and asked to leave. According to news accounts, these five experienced golfers and members of a group called Sisters of the Fairway wanted to know why they were being singled out considering another golf pro on the course told them they were keeping up a fine pace. When they protested the complaint, the cops were called. Not the manager, the cops. It seems these Black women were so threatening to the men they challenged, only an armed response could resolve the conflict.

Philadelphia: Two Black men enter a local Starbucks to await the arrival of a friend and business associate. They did not order anything while they waited because they had no idea that a purchase was a prerequisite for entering the establishment. White people do it all the time. Some to access the Internet, others to charge up a cell phone or just wait for a friend to have some conversation. That's the kind of atmosphere Starbucks is known for. Except if you happen to be Black. In this instance, management felt the presence of these two Black men was such a threat the police had to be called to have them forcibly removed from the premises. And they were. They were arrested, handcuffed and charged with trespassing.

California: Three Black women were packing their luggage into their vehicle as they were leaving an Airbnb after a short stay. By all accounts, it was nothing out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, a White neighbor peering out of her window saw things very differently. To the White woman, these Black people were robbing the house. She immediately called the police and all Hell broke loose. According to Kelly Fyffe-Marshell, Bob Marley's granddaughter, seven police cars arrived within minutes. The police told her and her friends to put their hands in the air and then informed them a helicopter was tracking them. And even though the group showed the police their booking confirmation, they had to phone the home's landlord to convince the cops they were telling the truth. One can only imagine what would've happened if they'd gotten voice mail.

St. Louis Mo.: Now this tale of being Black in America is fairly routine, I'd be remiss in duty as a storyteller if I didn't give it it's due mention. Three Black teens shopping for their prom at Nordstroms Rack had the cops called on them because store employees suspected the Black males of shoplifting. Mekhi Lee, Eric Rogers, and Dirone Taylor were shopping for shirts and other items when they noticed store employees giving them undue attention. The three were followed from aisle to aisle. No matter what they did or where they went, the employees were hot on their trail. After trying on a shirt, but feeling uncomfortable, they decided to leave. Unfortunately, one of the teens forgot his hat, so they returned to retrieve it. Big mistake. 

An old White woman saw the three and asked them if their parents or grandparents would be proud of what they were doing. She called them a bunch of bums. Sensing trouble, they asked to speak to the manager, but the store employees told them they couldn't meet with one. They left the store a second time, but according to one of the teens, turning around, they saw the manager come to the sidewalk and wave. So, they returned. The three decided to show these people they had money and they were no thugs or thieves. But while paying for their items on the checkout line one overheard employees saying they were calling the police. Knowing the drill, the teens calmly walked outside and waited for the cops to show up. When they arrived, the teens let their bags be searched and presented receipts for everything. The young men were allowed to leave without further incidents. BTW, it should also be mentioned, the store manager not only opened another register to accept payment for the old White women's purchases, he also escorted her to her car. One can reasonably presume she felt threatened. 

Connecticut-Yale University: The latest headline reads: A Black Yale Graduate Student Took a Nap in Her Dorm's Common Room. So a White Student Called the Police. I kid you not! According to CNN, African Studies student Lolade Siyonbola was working on a paper in the Hall of Graduate Studies when she fell asleep in a common room. Another female student came in, turned on the lights and told her, "You're not supposed to be sleeping here. I'm going to call the police." Just like that! I'm calling the police. No hello, who are you? Can I help you? Not that Ms. Siyonbola owes this persona an explanation. After all, this is America. However, Ms. Siyonbola wasn't that lucky

It's only minutes before the Black graduate student was answering the questions of the two responding police officers. After producing her ID as well as using her key to enter her room she asked the police what the complaint was. She was told by one of the officers "She called us and said there's somebody who appeared they weren't where they were supposed to be". Yes, that was the complaint. Ms. Siyonbola protested, "I deserve to be here. I pay tuition like everybody else." Still, the cops went on to say "we need to make sure that you belong here." No bullshit! That's what they said. After the arrival of two more officers and the confirmation of her identification, Ms. Siyonbola was told she was free to go. I'll bet she'll sleep with one eye open the next time.

If I had time, I'd share the tale of the two Native American teens who were stopped, questioned and frisked after a White parent on a college tour of Colorado State University called the cops on them for being suspiciously quiet and keeping their hands in their pockets. Or, the tale of the Latino male who had an off-duty cop pull a gun on him in a convenience store for being suspected of stealing a pack of Mentos candy. But I think it's time to cut to the chase. By now, you get the picture and it's an ugly and old one. And by now we should all know nothing is going to change. 

Bottom line: If this much racial animosity remains in the hearts and minds of White America after all these centuries, then I propose going back to the old Jim Crow days. Except separate and equal this time. "For Whites, Only" signs should grace the spaces where people of color are unwelcome. Black and Brown people would be far better off if they were forewarned that they're not wanted in an establishment before entering. To continue to shop, play, vacation or dine out in spaces that truly wished non-Whites weren't there will always present these situations and worse. While some may balk at the idea, I ask, why should we continue this facade of racial progress, tolerance, and acceptance. If some employee isn't calling the cops on them for simply being Black or Brown, how do they know some employee isn't spitting in their food or pissing in their coffee? They don't and they never will. Just something to think about. Podcast below.