Driving While Black Op-ed
As someone who has enjoyed the thrill of owning a Tesla for over a year now, I have reluctantly gotten accustom to the mostly positive, sometimes negative attention the car can bring. As a 33 year old African American male from New York, I have witnessed the dangers of citizens weaponizing the police against people of color. Yesterday, as I drove home from work, those two realizations collided and have left me once again questioning who the police are truly meant to protect and serve. It is humbly disheartening to realize that even in the comfort of my own vehicle, I am not exempt from the pervasive biases that exist in our society.
To set the scene, I was driving home at the top of (not over) the speed limit, minding my own business, when I found myself stopped at a red light. To my surprise, an elderly white couple, whom I presumably passed earlier, pulled up next to me. They began questioning why I was in such a rush and why I was supposedly speeding. In an attempt to maintain my composure, I responded “Respectfully, my your business”. In hindsight, I perhaps could have chose better works, but they had taken it upon themselves to play judge and jury for me simply passing them on the road. I’m sure they didn’t have any clue about my driving skills, my car’s capabilities, or if I was an axe murderer hunting seniors.
This could have all ended at the red light, but it seemed like the rattled couple were determined to teach me a “good ol’ boy” lesson and decided to follow me. This did not concern me too much and I continued my drive home asa I normally would. For context, after the red light there is a one lane road with city traffic, stop lights, and potholes that I habitually try to avoid; a common driving OCD.
As I continued driving, I noticed a cop car on a side street to my left and the couple had dropped a little further back in my rearview mirror. My mind couldn’t help but fill with thoughts of previous incidents where people of color had their lives completely derailed during routine traffic stops. The officer approached my window, and I asked why I had been pulled over.
The response I received only deepened my sense of injustice. The officer informed me that someone had called in about my car driving erratically. I couldn't help but wonder if it was the same elderly couple who had taken it upon themselves to pursue me. It became painfully clear that my race had played a significant role in the decision to pull me over, despite my adherence to traffic laws. I can’t imagine what they told the dispatcher to get the police to respond that fast. I also don’t understand the couple’s motivation besides them wanting some type of harm done to me…
This entire experience has left me questioning the true purpose of law enforcement. Do they respond whenever someone calls in to complain about another driver? Shouldn't the police be impartial and protect all citizens, regardless of their race or background? Why are people of color disproportionately targeted and subjected to unfair treatment by both individuals and law enforcement?
The dangers of citizens weaponizing the police against people of color are not just theoretical; they are a lived reality for many of us. It is crucial that we confront and address these systemic biases head-on. We must hold individuals accountable for their actions and advocate for comprehensive police reform that prioritizes fairness and justice. We need to foster open and honest conversations about racial profiling and the ways in which prejudice permeates our society. It is our collective responsibility to dismantle the systems that perpetuate discrimination and to actively work towards a future where every person, regardless of their skin color or the car they drive, can feel safe and secure. Most importantly we must believe people of colors’ stories.
My recent encounter highlights the dangers faced by people when law enforcement is weaponized, I just happened to be a person of color. We all should be striving for a society where equality and justice are at the forefront, and where the police truly protect and serve all individuals, regardless of circumstances. Hopefully one day that Kanye line won’t be true.