It seems like every day some white woman is calling the police to report a disturbance, or suspicious behavior, or threatening attitude of a black man. The black man, of course, is doing nothing more dangerous than walking home, cheering his child at a soccer match, driving his car or buying a soda pop on a hot day.
The women blow everything out of proportion. An innocent incident can easily be worded to sound alarming. The press gives the woman some cute little name like Golf Cart Gail, Permit Patty, or Elevator Ellie. Cute nicknames seem innocuous but they’re patronizing, garnering a “Oh, isn’t she cute?” reaction. They make a lie of the caller’s intent as well as trivializing the harm and disruption to the victim. A more fitting nicknames like Noxious Nell, Terrorist Tammy or Racist Rachel may be more appropriate.
Black man with an axe. (Photo Credit: The Jimi Hendrix Experience performed at the Culture House in Helsinki – 22 May 1967)Why do these women do this? We all know the reason. Does calling the police on a black man strike a blow for freedom of expression? No, but it is an attempt to diminish him and keep him from living peacefully. Does the person who calls feel better? Possibly, or at least it makes her feel in control of her fears and anger.
Here are four reasons why they do it:
- They know that it works – all the time, every time.
- They want to intimidate Black people.
- In rare cases, some may actually want the police to harm Black people and they believe that by calling them and exaggerating a sometimes-minor or non-incident, this will happen.
- They want Black people to just “go away” from the neighborhood/public space etc. – opednews.com/articles/Calling-Cops-For-Black-Peo-by-Michael-Roberts-ATTITUDE_Animals_Black-Churches_Children-181018-664.html
Whatever the reason these people are making the calls, it needs to stop! The City of Lakewood has this to say about False Alarms: “False alarms are costly and dangerous because they divert police officers from proactive crime prevention efforts. They also delay response to calls that may be true emergencies.” In Tacoma there are fines for false burglar alarms – “False alarms are billed $100 per occurrence to the alarm company.” I think the police (not here in the Pacific Northwest) are complicit in the reported problems of the news report incidents. I’ve heard them say that they don’t want citizens to “not” call when there is something suspicious going on, but police are pretty smart and they can figure things out. What these callers are doing is treading on the rights of fellow citizens as well as wasting police time. I think at worst it’s a petty offense, but it’s close to being a hate crime. I suggest a $500 fine for an obvious transgression – first offense. For a second helping: a hate crime charge and jail time.
If no one does anything to stop this stupid behavior, then I submit that we begin a special grass roots national campaign against rude behavior. I’ll start it off when I’m feeling lonely and unempowered. I’m going to check out where Donald Trump is speaking and call the police in that city to report a strange man with orange hair threatening and calling people names and making women and children feel uncomfortable. With any luck . . . I might get results . . . or at least a cute nick name.
Thank you for this.
Nan,
I’m always glad to read your comments . . .
This was just racist behavior being paid for by community taxes. It should not be condoned nor allowed to continue. Make them pay with fines and/or jail time if denigrating behavior is how they get their enjoyment. The police should step up and advise them to become better citizens. Oh, well . . . people don’t always listen to us, but it never hurts to make suggestions to improve the world.
Thanks, again for reading and “right”ing in.
Don
And how do you know all this? Race and sex of the caller; circumstances of the call? Are you simultaneously sitting in the 911 call center and at the location of the alleged incident? Sounds a bit contrived and presumptuous as well as possibly racist and sexist on your part. Oh…..I just figured it out: a jab at President Trump and Republicans 2 weeks before the midterm elections.
John,
Thank you for reading and commenting. You are right. The false alarms do sound contrived, presumptuous, racist, and sexist . . . but not on my part. A spur to the Trump and Republican faithful just two weeks before the midterm elections, probably . . . to get them all out to vote . . . but I didn’t mention it. Why would these women, and they so seem to be women, stoke up the fear of black people and provibe retribution? Unless, you missed the notations in my articles, I always mention my sources that I quote, but of course I read at least two newspapers everyday and check out the news from Yahoo, Google, and MSN. Thank you for reading and writing. Don
Good points here. I do my best to share on Facebook all of these incidents where privileged white people are accosting people of color who are just going about their business. They need to be exposed and shunned by society. It’s not acceptable. Thanks for sharing your point of view, Don.
Profiling, much?
The recorded incidents speak for themselves, Chris.
Chris,
Thank you for reading and commenting.
I don’t think that anyone should be harassed for someone else’s enjoyment. I think that is part of our freedom. To transgress that is to break the law. People should be civil to people.
Thanks, again for reading and writing in.
Don
Cindy,
Thanks for reading and writing in.
I don’t think anyone should be accosted by anyone . . . even remotely. I’m glad you agree.
Thanks, again for reading and commenting.
Don
So what is your Facebook name, Cindy, so we can look at all these recorded incidents?
Marty,
Here’s a simple search on Google: https://www.google.com/search?q=false+alarm+black+man+calls&rlz=1C1WPZA_enUS728US728&oq=false+alarm+black+man+calls&aqs=chrome..69i57.7965j1j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
With six incidents just on that page.
Don
Why would I share that personal info with someone who is clearly being confrontational? There is no secret on how to fully inform yourself, Marty. Good luck with that.
Cindy,
Don’t worry. I sent him a link . . . it’s not like incidents are scarce . . . with six just on that one simple search.
Don
I’m surprised the Suburban Times published this.
But intellegent people know where your coming from, and it’s not very nice.
I believe Don, you should bring this topic up at your Thanksgiving table next month, that is if your having all your families there. Should be quite a discussion.
Wouldn’t you agree that these people are probably acting on learned behavior? They were raised by bigots or they have fear of people not like them. I think it would be better to fine them and make them attend classes in behavior. Teach them how poisonous their behavior is and get to the bottom of why they are that way…. and make them pay for the class/dr. visit.
Kathryn,
Thank you for reading and for writing . . .
Learned behavior? I certainly agree. But I also think that some people suppressed their feelings against people of color and with Trump in office they feel free to show their disdain for people they consider inferior. Teach them? I don’t know . . . People do have to learn to get along in this ever shrinking world, but instead of opening our arms and minds to new ideas they are building walls and shrinking their little world . . . but then that’s just my opinion. p.s. I also like the thought of them paying for classes and doctor visits.
Thanks again for reading my article and for commenting.
Don