The grand jury decision over the chokehold death of Eric Garner, announced Wednesday, was followed with public demonstrations in cities across the nation — and the Internet.
Thousands of tweeters are up in arms against racial profiling and police brutality in America — issues that have been hard to ignore amidst recent protests for the lives of Michael Brown, Ezell Ford, Akai Gurley and others. #BlackLivesMatter and #HandsUpDontShoot have played a large role in addressing these issues on social media, but there’s a new hashtag in town: #CrimingWhileWhite.
Instead of targeting incidents of disadvantage and prejudice against people of color, #CrimingWhileWhite quickly populated on Twitter Wednesday afternoon and zeroed in on white privilege, straight from the mouths of those who know it best.
The perspective of #CrimingWhileWhite sheds a bright light on an ugly truth with a sharp focus; something you can see for yourself in examples below.
The claims in the following tweets have not been independently verified by The Huffington Post.
This #crimingwhilewhite hashtag. Are white ppl openly acknowledging white privilege on police interactions or am I dreaming?
— Maya Reid (@SuchAnAfroholic) December 3, 2014
Arrested for DUI, cop took me to drive through ATM so I’d have money to bail myself out. #crimingwhilewhite
— Dr24hours (@Dr24hours) December 3, 2014
Friend w/ suspended license gets flat tire/pulled over in someone else’s car. Cop says he will use my license (passenger) #CrimingWhileWhite
— McCallister Crowley (@Occupocalypse) December 3, 2014
#CrimingWhileWhite Arrested for stealing street signs xmas eve back in high school. Probation waived as it would interfere with DRAMA CLUB.
— Mike Levine (@bizmichael) December 3, 2014
I was 20. Stopped by cop at gas station. Under the influence & underage. He flirted with me then let me drive home. #CrimingWhileWhite
— Cassie Fox (@CassieFX) December 3, 2014
In high school I got in a 3 car wreck that might have been my fault. The cop told me it was the “illegal alien’s” fault. #CrimingWhileWhite
— Elizabeth (@oceana_roll) December 3, 2014
Shoplifted when I was a teenager. Was apprehended but never charged because I looked “like a good kid” #CrimingWhileWhite
— LVL 90 SJW (@Auragasmic) December 3, 2014
Someone very close to me assaulted a state police officer at a traffic stop once. Was out by 9 am and later beat case. #CrimingWhileWhite
— Natural (@NatAnglin) December 3, 2014
#CrimingWhileWhite oh yeah the time I got picked up for the gun at school thing they let my mom come pick me up and take me home. No juvie.
— #PoliceThePolice (@Joe_Schmucc) December 3, 2014
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