So, I had a run-in with law enforcement yesterday. My lease on my old car ran out in March of this year, when I put a lease on a new vehicle. Little did I realize the stickers on my plates expired in June. Stopped at a light, I witnessed a cop's flashing lights behind me not long after we got going again. I wasn't speeding or driving erratically in any sense, so I was quite puzzled, even thinking he was going to pull over someone in front of me. After checking my insurance and license (clean record), he kindly let me off with a warning and provided me with information on where to go outside of the BMV, as it's rather notorious for long lines/waits.
The discussion was short-lived. The officer was helpful and understanding. As I was on my way to meet my parents for lunch, the situation could have been a lot worse. I actually wondered to myself, "Would this have gone any differently had I been black or Hispanic?" I honestly have no idea, but I couldn't help but realize how calm I felt as I was getting pulled over. Sure, I was perplexed, but wasn't at all shaken or rattled. It's like my gut knew nothing was going to come of it. I don't hear many such stories from blacks or Hispanics. I rarely hear such a person tell a story about feeling calm after getting pulled over by a cop.
Something's just wrong with that picture. I'm incredibly grateful the officer who pulled me over acted in the manner he did. I even wrote the local department a complimentary letter on his behalf. However, I would like to see such behavior exhibited by law enforcement officials more consistently across all demographics, not just whites such as myself. The incident yesterday instilled in me a semblance of hope, yet I have no idea how it would have gone or how I'd have felt had I not been a while male.
The discussion was short-lived. The officer was helpful and understanding. As I was on my way to meet my parents for lunch, the situation could have been a lot worse. I actually wondered to myself, "Would this have gone any differently had I been black or Hispanic?" I honestly have no idea, but I couldn't help but realize how calm I felt as I was getting pulled over. Sure, I was perplexed, but wasn't at all shaken or rattled. It's like my gut knew nothing was going to come of it. I don't hear many such stories from blacks or Hispanics. I rarely hear such a person tell a story about feeling calm after getting pulled over by a cop.
Something's just wrong with that picture. I'm incredibly grateful the officer who pulled me over acted in the manner he did. I even wrote the local department a complimentary letter on his behalf. However, I would like to see such behavior exhibited by law enforcement officials more consistently across all demographics, not just whites such as myself. The incident yesterday instilled in me a semblance of hope, yet I have no idea how it would have gone or how I'd have felt had I not been a while male.
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