“Racism is dead only to those who’ve closed their eyes and ears to the whole world around them.”
– DaShanne Stokes
There’s been a serious escalation of “Karen” activity getting called out on twitter. Amy Cooper is just the latest horrifying example of white women tears endangering a black man’s life.
https://twitter.com/melodyMcooper/status/1264965252866641920
This man asked Amy Cooper to leash her dog, as required by clearly posted signs in Central Park, and she responded with aggression. She knew she was being recorded and still announced her intent to call 911 and tell them an “African American man” was threatening her. She proceeded to make the call, reported being threatened by the bird watcher who stood in place recording her behavior, then escalated the call with fake crying and a trembling voice.
Amy Cooper knew what she was doing. Every white woman in America knows how dangerous we are when we cry our tears and tell 911 how very scary a black man is. Just like Carolyn Bryant Donham knew exactly what would happen when she accused Emmett Till of grabbing her. We might as well pull the trigger ourselves when we set into motion actions that can end in one more violent confrontation with the police.
This is America, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Be better.
Linda hosts One-Liner Wednesday. Check out her blog to see who else is participating this week.
Riddle from the Middle 
You’re right. It doesn’t have to be this way — on any side, either side. We are now experiencing reverse racism which is just as detrimental. Personally, I think what happened in that park — that woman should be arrested and made to do community service perhaps. Still, the rest of us whites who do reach out to blacks in friendship and kindness should not be called supremacists because we worked hard for what we have. The dialogue in this country has become pathetic. But, that’s what you get when common sense, decency and respect have been lost from a culture and instead we are a nation of sheeple who mindlessly follow anything and everything spoon fed through the biased media, social media and fake news.
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We have open dialogue here. While I’m glad you shared your perspective I cannot agree. White people who work hard for what they have benefit from a system designed to favor them, and to ignore that privilege works directly in opposition to the concept of reaching out in friendship and kindness. I can’t ignore what I see anymore. Denying the reality of everyday violence against Black and Brown bodies in America is indecent.
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So glad for the open dialogue as I believe that is the only way polarity can be eliminated. I understand what you are saying and by no means justify unfair treatment against black and brown persons, and do not deny the reality of everyday violence against blacks and browns, however, all of the facts must be considered including why are so many blacks killing blacks? Unfortunately, media bias conveniently leaves this critical information out which means no one is getting the full picture to be able to develop the best solution.
If you have a moment and would like to get a more comprehensive picture of the problem and possibilities for solving it, you might want to view a video or two by some very well educated blacks who do not believe whites should support blacks as it is white supremacy in thinking whites have the answers to betterment while blacks don’t. Bob Woodson (who got himself out of poverty and works hard to help blacks get out of poverty) and Shelby Steele are two I’d highly recommend. In that regard, I’m listening to the ideas of successful black persons rather than go by what “I” think is right for blacks. Reparations, affirmative action, public housing, food stamps, etc., only continues to enslave blacks which is unfair treatment to them and has not bettered their lives. We can certainly reach out in friendship and kindness without making them dependent on us. In fact, that is more kind than crippling them. Wishing you all the best, and America too.
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I hope something good can come from this mess, especially for Christian Cooper who is a gentleman and a man of honor.
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It does make me wonder if these things will finally – FINALLY – move the needle.
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Maybe the needle is moving slowly now. Shaking at the very least.
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Great post. This needs to be said. Thank you!
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Thanks for reading, Laurie.
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Great post and I don’t feel sorry for her nor do I accept your apology or believe that she’s not a racist. I think she’s mad that people including some of her people of color friends just realized it.
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She’s definitely racist, she’s just mad she’s getting publicly dragged for it. It’s hard for us white women to be called out in front of the whole world. We’re not used to it and tends to bring out the princess tears. Ugh.
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racism is not dead.
Yesterday I saw on TV how the police killed the black man in Minneapolis…
it is shameful!
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Tragic. And the fact that they did it in full view of cameras, not even worried about what it would prove, shows how bulletproof the police feel.
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Awful and sad. I didn’t realized she’d been fired. That’s consequences. Bet she’s never had those before.
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I strongly suspect consequences were a shockingly new experience. I’d like to think maybe shocking enough to get her to reevaluate her behavior.
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I lived in South Africa for over forty years and since moving to the USA, I have been shocked and appalled by the racism here.
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I’ve never lived anywhere else so I don’t have firsthand knowledge but America does seem to be particularly obscene in this area. I honestly don’t know how people of color have persisted this long.
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This asshat was a VP at a mutual fund and probably thought she walked on water. Let’s see how she fairs on unemployment instead of $200K per year. Glad the dog was returned to the rescue organization.
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Me too. I cannot get the sound out of my head that he made at the end of the video.
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She is such a disgusting person. To go out of your way to cause harm and incite drama is inexcusable.
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It is. And yet there she is, demanding we excuse her behavior because she says she’s not racist despite all evidence to the contrary.
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Sometimes we have twisted minds and lack of compassion, common sense, humanity. Too often. I don’t understand why there are so many people who feel so superior, so unbound by rules and regulations. Those people make me sad.
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Sad and angry and annoyed and frustrated all at once. I hope someone in her life gives her a good shake up so she realizes she’s not the victim here and makes some real change in her life.
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I respect him for telling her that her dog should be leashed, but as a black person, I’d advise him to just keep it moving next time. It’s just not worth it. Women like this use their privilege as a weapon against black people and I feel like recording it and posting is a double edged sword. It raises awareness but encourages others when they realise that they can get away with it (she’ll get another job easily I’m sure). There will be outrage for five mins and it’s on to the next thing. Sigh.
Thank you for this post, though, I agree with your take on it. It’s all so needless.
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Thank you so much for adding your perspective. I can’t possibly understand the hundreds of decisions a black person makes daily off a quick assessment of risk. I’ve read an interview Mr. Cooper gave and he’s an avid bird watcher — it seems dogs destroy the ground cover where you can spot ground dwelling birds in the area. I guess that makes it important enough to him? But I don’t understand bird watching.
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For me, it’s all about picking my battles. Last year I had a racist co-worker that worked my last nerve, but I just had to tune him out. It wasn’t worth reporting him over. Sad, but it’s the nature of the world we live in.
I saw that. So he was protecting his hobby and the wildlife in the area – I suppose a dog could also endanger the birds too?
LOL, I don’t either, although when I lived in a more rural area, the cutest, tiniest bird would stop by every day to play in the grassy area by my window. I found its presence quite soothing. Maybe bird watchers feel the same way? Who knows, lol.
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It is so disgusting. All of it. There is not even time to mourn one horrible event before another takes its place. I am glad she was fired. Her apology fell on my deaf ears. She knew.
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She absolutely knew. White people cry if their world falls apart when they’re finally held accountable for racist behavior — her apology is nothing more than trying to repair her reputation.
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Agreed.
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The hate crime are on an increase. Not acceptable at all.
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I have to wonder. When I’ve commented that things are worse people in the black community tell me nothing’s changed, we’re just noticing it more.
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I think it is true from the perspective of the minority. But it’s good that more people are speaking against it, instead of not reacting.
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Absolutely. Until we speak out — lots and lots of us — things will not change.
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So true.
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and it continues. each time i take a breath and relax a little, it happens again, in some twisted form or another. it is hateful and destructive and needs to end.
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I know. But I tell myself I have the luxury of relaxing while the black community lives this nightmare every second of every day and that’s just cruel.
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absolutely same here
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We’ve been following this story. Stupid and sad are the only words I can find. Just when you think it can’t get worse, it does.
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I no longer believe it can’t get any worse. It always seems to and I just can’t be surprised by that anymore. Sad, but not surprised.
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This is just staggering. What was she thinking about. Your so right. It doesn’t have to feel like this.
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She’s on her “but I’m not racist, my whole life is ruined because I made a mistake” media tour now and all I can think is yeah lady, you’re not fooling anybody.
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