Running While Black and the Sports World

My Thanks to the players of the St Louis Rams. (you still belong in California)  We need to continue to express how  we feel and not let anyone beat us down.  I, being a white female, will never know the sick gut wrentching feeling a black man or boy gets when they see a police car.  I can only read about it.  I did get involved in one of these stops in Orange County, CA many years ago.  An attorney, who I knew, was on his morning run. The police had him stopped and leaning against a hot car in his running shorts and top.  I stopped and asked  what was going on.  I was threatened by one of the officers that if I did not get back into my car and mind my own business, blah blah.  I would not let up and demanded both a supervisor and a female office to be called. Stating that this man was an esteemed attorney and owned a condo a block away.  My friend was running while black.  My friends say I scare men away, that is why I have no hubby or boyfriend.  Seemed to have worked on these two male police officers. They basically told both of us to have a nice day, and they went away.  Nothing else to say on this.

I read the very long and complete article in the Washington Post on the issues in and around Ferguson, MO. By Radley Balko September 3.  This in depth read shows the vicious cycle created and flamed by the bigoted actions of those in the many jurisdictions that butt up against each other.  If they don't get you going north on the road, the town across the street will get you going south.  Compounding tickets and warrants, with frivioulous stops.  Read it all and you will get a better feel for the resentment the people in the Ferguson area have for law enforcement and the court system.  A court system that sounds more like the days of the traveling judges.

KADL