Racism Up Close and Personal
I'm working with a wonderful couple, helping them buy a beautiful home right here in sunny LaVergne (more fun on a date than Shirley, Tn.). The wife is a woman of color... and her being African-American is relevant to this story. She called me earlier today because she was having a bad day and was hoping I could cheer her up... I don't know if I did or not, but did hear her story on racism that absolutely made my stomach curl.
Let's call my friend Sandy (not her real name, but better than "my friend"). Sandy was in a car accident last Wednesday. She was going through an intersection when a car came out of nowhere and hit her. That driver, a white woman, just kept going. Let's call the woman Tiffany. As she was driving away, Tiffany noticed that several people were staring... she drove up another block and finally turned a corner and parked. Then Tiffany walked the block and a half back to the scene of the accident.
Tiffany tried to talk Sandy out of calling the police, suggesting they just exchange insurance information instead. Sandy said no, she wanted a police report to be filed.
The officer showed up and immediately approached Tiffany asking, "Ma'am, are you okay? Are you hurt in any way?" He never asked Sandy. Then he asked Tiffany, "What happened? Did she damage your car?" Never asked Sandy.
When Sandy said, "Sir. She. Hit. Me." He responded, "I'm not speaking to you at this time. Cease and desist."
She ceased and desisted. But he never asked Sandy's side of the accident. One of the witnesses hung around for the officer. The witness approached the officer and said, "Sir, you're interviewing the person who left the scene of the accident." The officer said, "Ma'am, would you like to be charged with interfering with an investigation?"
Tiffany was never cited... not even for driving on out-of-state plates that had expired in May. Sandy, however, had forgotten her drivers license. It was still in her jeans at home from when she voted on Tuesday. Sandy was put in the police car. She was not charged, but did receive a citation. She said had she not remained calm and respectful of authority, she would be in jail now. But Sandy is livid. She is hurt. She is seething.
And now I am also outraged and completely blown away by all of this. I can not believe this officer behaved in such a blatantly racist way. My friend is a nurse. She is a wife and mother. She is a God-fearing, tax-paying member of the community. And she is black.
What happened to Tiffany? Nothing.
Let's call my friend Sandy (not her real name, but better than "my friend"). Sandy was in a car accident last Wednesday. She was going through an intersection when a car came out of nowhere and hit her. That driver, a white woman, just kept going. Let's call the woman Tiffany. As she was driving away, Tiffany noticed that several people were staring... she drove up another block and finally turned a corner and parked. Then Tiffany walked the block and a half back to the scene of the accident.
Tiffany tried to talk Sandy out of calling the police, suggesting they just exchange insurance information instead. Sandy said no, she wanted a police report to be filed.
The officer showed up and immediately approached Tiffany asking, "Ma'am, are you okay? Are you hurt in any way?" He never asked Sandy. Then he asked Tiffany, "What happened? Did she damage your car?" Never asked Sandy.
When Sandy said, "Sir. She. Hit. Me." He responded, "I'm not speaking to you at this time. Cease and desist."
She ceased and desisted. But he never asked Sandy's side of the accident. One of the witnesses hung around for the officer. The witness approached the officer and said, "Sir, you're interviewing the person who left the scene of the accident." The officer said, "Ma'am, would you like to be charged with interfering with an investigation?"
Tiffany was never cited... not even for driving on out-of-state plates that had expired in May. Sandy, however, had forgotten her drivers license. It was still in her jeans at home from when she voted on Tuesday. Sandy was put in the police car. She was not charged, but did receive a citation. She said had she not remained calm and respectful of authority, she would be in jail now. But Sandy is livid. She is hurt. She is seething.
And now I am also outraged and completely blown away by all of this. I can not believe this officer behaved in such a blatantly racist way. My friend is a nurse. She is a wife and mother. She is a God-fearing, tax-paying member of the community. And she is black.
What happened to Tiffany? Nothing.
posted by Kathy T. at 2:27 PM
12 Comments:
This is absolutely disgusting, as you know. I hate the subconscious racism that pervades our culture. It takes people like you, who tell these stories, to educate people so that this will stop. And it takes brave souls like Sandy to share their deep hurt. And it takes Tiffanys to admit their wrongdoing. I am sorry for all involved, both the victims and those with obtuse hearts.
Is it too late for this to be remedied? The witness could surely corraborate Sandy's story in a formal complaint, right?
This is apalling and too much has been gained in the civil rights movement for this to go on unmentioned to higher authorities. If nothing else, wouldn't Sandy's insurance company have something to say about it?
Sandy does not have to be a victim. And Tiffany should not get out of this so easily.
Sam,
I see that you and I are in close symmetry, give or take 3 minutes.
I wonder where we will bump into each other next.
Mike
Yes, did she get the name of the police officer? With a witness, it might be worth making a complaint. Of course, if she wants to continue to live in the area, she might be reluctant to pursue it, since having one of the local cops on one's bad side can be scary. But I don't see how just telling the story on a blog helps to stop things like this, without also taking action. It's a tough choice, I guess.
That's disgusting. I can't even begin to digest those horrible people's behavior. I'm so sorry for your friend.
Sandy has many recources, that is if she can find someone to back up her version of the story who was at the scene. If she has a citation, she has the name of the officer. Chez is right, her insurance company will be looking into this as well, however I wouldn't wait on them. The officer is not likely to have any recollection of the events, so don't give him time to make up a story.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR POLICE DEPT? man this should be taken to court and fought......I cant believe the police is that stupid in our city...hope you friend gets a lawyer and sues or takes the officer to court.....was it Tartt??? I hope she takes this to the news as well......
That's awful! I'm sick to stomach now after reading that. I hope she can find some recourse.
And seriously, how do you hit another car, keep going and then come back and ask that person NOT to call the police?!?! Ooooo the irresponsibility that prevails these days is just disgusting!
I guess the officer was in a hurry to get back to NOT escorting a funeral procession. Ha.
This is a perfect reason why everybody should have a camera -- if possible, one that will record some video -- in their cars at all times. It's not just the cops who need video proof. I do business in La Vergne all the time, and I have one.
Please relay my horror and sorrow to your friend, and then y'all call Larry Brinton at Channel 4. He got the durn McKlean incident on MSNBC, so I'd think such blatant discrimination would get as good a play as an off-duty chase.
I will say that most officers are excellent ones, and do their best to protect and serve to their ability - despite the laws and stressful enviroment they have to work it.
That being said there are a few bad apples that really skid it up for the rest, and this one should certainly be investigated and cited for discrimination, with an apology to "Sandy" from the police dpt.
I also think - not speaking of that particular officer - there are a few potentially good apples that have somewhat gelatinous spines and have a hard time standing up for what's right, or themselves are blinded by media and a general minority opinion. It's our job to change that.
If this accident happend in LaVergne...it is par for the course. I was involved in an accident in LaVergne a few years back. The other party hit me and moved their vehicle before the police arrived. The police could have cared less about the accident. They told me there was nothing they could do since they didn't see the accident.
I know there are some good officers on the force, but the majority are worthless.
Actually this accident was in Nashville. Someone said on NiT that he felt something was wrong with the story. I'm thinking because "Tiffany's" car was out of site, maybe the officer asked her if she was okay because he thought she could've been a pedestrian. But then he asked about her car being damaged... why wouldn't he have walked up and looked at it? I think I definitely only heard one side, but the hostility of the officer toward my friend is still an issue with me, even with gaps in her story.
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