Anisa Jibrell – General Assignment Reporter
On Dec. 4, a Staten Island grand jury reached a decision to not indict New York City police officer, Daniel Pantaleo for putting Eric Garner in a chokehold that lead to his death on a Staten Island sidewalk this past July. The decision garnered a wave of confessions that started to flood Twitter feeds Wednesday night, confessions that exercise science major Danielle Campbell said, left her mind blown.
“What we’re seeing this year is ridiculous,” said Campbell. “I’ve never seen anything like this before in my entire life.”
As flurries of protests erupted across the nation and a series of reports on the grand jury decision migrated through the social media metropolis, the new trending topic #CrimingWhileWhite, has gained momentum.
White users were sharing stories of interactions with individuals in law enforcement and confessing to crimes –ranging from shoplifting to non-voluntary manslaughter—in the past that they either got away with or received a light punishment for.
For example, one user tweets, “At 13 I stole a car with my friends and drove it two weeks before we got busted. Only one charged was black #CrimingWhileWhite.”
“I think that’s one of the most enlightening things to happen in 2014,” said Campbell. “Nobody ever talks about it, and by that I mean, white people.”
Campbell said it felt good to see the confessions because white people are finally admitting that the injustice surrounding America’s justice system is not a “made-up” issue, yet she understands why some people have become irritated by it.
“You can be angry, said Campbell, “there’s definitely a cause for anger, but I think that it was more like a glimpse of humanity.”
The trending topic zeroes in on the concept of white privilege in the justice system, a concept that computer science major, Steven LaPira, said he believes does not exist and describes the financial hardships he has experienced being a white male.
“I’m a white male and I live on my own. I get no government help and I’ve asked,” said LaPira. “I make $10,000 a year. I get no school money and no food money.”
Students like Campbell have found the trending topic to be an enlightening experience; though, others like exercise science major Amanda Cullen, see it more so as attention seeking.
“It’s extremely stupid,” said Cullen. “I personally just think they’re trying to show off.”
Cullen said she doesn’t consider confessing to crimes as a way of spreading awareness due to the lack of positivity as well as the lingering thought of not knowing whether the confessions are true or not.
“Did they actually commit a crime or are they just doing this just to follow everyone else,” said Cullen. “It’s hard to tell who’s actually telling the truth.”
LaPira said the trending topic is something law enforcement should definitely look into, and suggests that IP addresses should be obtained.
“People are bragging about crimes,” said LaPira. “If you want real justice, figure it out and go get those people.”
Campbell said when she saw the hashtag on her twitter feed she was surprised yet happy because it reassured her that black community’s struggle— with the justice system– is being recognized and is not a lost cause.
“When white people aren’t responding to it and they don’t feel anything, you get upset,” said Campbell. “This isn’t just my issue, this is a human issue.”
Campbell said she has been crying for the past two weeks straight, and hasn’t been able to sleep. She said what hurts the most is when people minimize these issues and frown upon her anger—not the issue itself.
“You’re not supposed to feel pain, you’re not supposed to feel anger,” said Campbell. “You’re supposed to just accept it. Take it in. That’s what happens, because that’s what’s supposed to happen.”
LaPira said more white people should talk about issues like the Garner case, but there is a time and place for that.
“If,” said LaPira, “a white came out and talked about it, they’d get jumped on a lot quicker and attacked a lot quicker.”
He said it’s more about being safe and many people are too “strong-headed” and they view their opinion as the only one that matters.
“White silence equals white consent, it does,” said Campbell. “It’s saying it’s ok, and you’re saying ‘I don’t have to feel anything because it’s not my issue.’ If you’re a human being, it’s your issue.”
In recent years, young black males were at a far greater risk of being shot dead by police than their white counterparts – 21 times greater, according to a ProPublica analysis of federally collected data on fatal police shootings.
LaPira agrees that more black males are killed but said it’s partly due to issues with trying to escape their “struggle.”
“I grew up next to the city, next to Hartford. A lot of my friends have died because of gang-related stuff,” said LaPira.
Campbell said white silence may stem from a lack of proper education, and progress cannot be expected when people can’t understand nor appreciate what’s been happening to the black community if they don’t truly know what’s been going on for years.
“It’s hard because you can’t really turn your back on it because you’re always gonna be black,” said Campbell. “It’s not something you’re afforded, you can’t just turn it off for a second.”
