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* The governor was asked about Rep. Kam Buckner’s tweet thread today and I should’ve posted it earlier. Via @ThreadReaderApp…
The revelation of reality sometimes stings in the most unassuming ways. Last Friday, @GovPritzker’s Exec Order requiring facemasks for those who venture outside went into effect. This EO was the right thing to do to protect Illinoisians in the face of this deadly virus.
It is a responsible move that will save lives and those who are using it as a reason to “stick it to the establishment” or start a contrived fight over “personal freedom,” are misguided and out of line. This includes @VP Pence.
Yesterday, however, the mask reminded of the gratuitous & unwanted attn given to those of us of a certain demographic while engaging in normal social acts and how quickly the objective can turn into the subjective based on implicit bias and prejudice
I went to a store to purchase some items. I wore what I think many people would wear to the store on a Sun. (when there is no church): a hoodie, sweatpants & gym shoes. I also had on my facemask & gloves per the Order (I was dressed like many of the other shoppers I saw).
When exiting the store I was approached by a uniformed officer who questioned the items in my cart. I explained to him I had just purchased them from the store he saw me walk out of. He asked to see my receipt, which was deep in my pocket. As I looked for it, he waited
After 30 seconds or so, I found it and gave it to him. He barely glanced at it and then asked for my ID. I complied. He walked to his car and was in it for a couple of minutes and returned both the ID and my receipt.
When I asked why he approached me in the 1st place, his response was: “People are using the coronavirus to do bad things. I couldn’t see your face, man. You looked like you were up to something.” Which begs the question, what does someone who is up to something look like?
As scores of masked people walked in and out without encumbrance I was reminded of the reality that I have been programmed to show as much of my face as possible and use certain cues to disarm anyone who might have a learned inclination to be suspicious of my very presence.
Yrs before the murder of Trayvon Martin, experience dictated to me the dangers that may wait to assail me for simply having my hood up. Because I guess that’s what someone who is “up to something” looks like.
When I was a teenager, a mentor, in one of a series of “talks” that are given to black boys on how to maneuver a society that often looks at you as a threat first, told me to “dress like a prospect and not a suspect,” in order to avoid situations like this.
I am a 6′4′’ black male from the Southside of Chicago & when not in a suit, I’m likely in a hoodie, jeans & Jordans. & depending on the time of year, a myriad of tattoos may be visible. I am keenly aware of not looking like I am “up to something,” but should I have to be?
I can’t help, but think about whether or not my friends of different races ever got the “prospect not suspect” talk. How many of them needed it for their survival? I think I know the answer. I’ve struggled with whether or not to say something about this publicly.
It’s been heavy on my heart. Not because it’s novel. It’s not. It has happened to me before & will probably happen again. Not because I am indignant that my law degree or being a State Legislator didn’t absolve me from this type of interaction. I never expect that it will.
It bothers me most because I can’t help but think of the dangers that are inherent for a number of black men who are just adhering to the mask rule and by doing so, look like they are “up to something.” This is not in the least bit an absolute indictment on any group.
It is an indictment on the whole of society for creating a climate where this is normal and this is ok. Where @HenryLouisGates gets arrested for entering his own home. I’ve said it before & I am sure I will have to say this again as this virus shines an uncomfortable light.
COVID will not break us. It will only reveal to us what is already broken. There’s a lot to be fixed.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 4:16 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Pritzker takes questions - Says he can’t predict when regions will move to next phase - Schools can open in phase 4 - Asked twice about Lolla - Repeats that you should look at averages, not one day - Not instructing IDOC to withhold masks from guards - Repeats he isn’t asking for law enforcement actions - All state is looking for is replacement of lost revenues, not pension money - Saddened by Rep. Buckner mask story - Hints that GA could return in May - Says he sees progress away from plateau - IDPH working on a school reopening plan - Explains IDPH regions - Again hints that GA may reconvene before end of May - Repeats he will not restrict in-state movement - Not involved in nursing home union talks - Dr. Ezike: “We’re not looking to create a police state” - Pritzker says local officials reopening prematurely are “encouraging people to get sick”
Next Post: React to Pritzker’s new plan
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Everyone looks like they are “up to something” while wearing a mask, so that is a pretty poor excuse by the officer. It shows that our society still has a long way to go before we have true equality.
Comment by Pelonski Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 4:22 pm
That last line. Well said, Rep. Buckner.
Comment by Fixer Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 4:34 pm
=== It shows that our society still has a long way to go before we have true equality. ===
Unfortunately, the law can only do so much to ensure equality. Unless the minds and hearts of those that are unconsciously biased or prejudiced against African Americans (and others) begin to change, I am not confident that much progress will be made.
I echo the sentiments of Rep. Buckner that COVID will not break us, but will only reveal to us what is already broken. This pandemic has shown me that America is broken. My faith in humanity has been lost and it will take more than a vaccine or a return to “normalcy” for it to be restored. This isn’t about COVID. This is about the value of human life. This is a battle against hate. Unfortunately, hate cannot be cured or prevented by a vaccine.
Comment by Powdered Whig Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 4:37 pm
I have listened to a number of conservative talk radio pundits disavow the concept of white privilege. I suspect the same can read this and still not understand.
Comment by Bemused Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 4:38 pm
From driving, walking, wearing a hoodie while black to wearing a mask while black, nothing changes. Shameful.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 4:39 pm
I resisted wearing a mask until about 3 weeks ago for this very reason, ultimately it was my fear of harming others that led to my embracing wearing a mask.
Comment by DTAG Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 4:39 pm
I’m wearing a mask because if I don’t, my wife will never let me out of the house.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 4:48 pm
It’s very disheartening to the humanity we all are sharing together, and yet this terrible profiling is now seemingly exacerbated because of the life saving we all are doing with a mask.
=== COVID will not break us. It will only reveal to us what is already broken. There’s a lot to be fixed.===
Powerful. Well said.
Oswego Willy
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 4:57 pm
===COVID will not break us. It will only reveal to us what is already broken. There’s a lot to be fixed.===
Amen to that.
Comment by Boone's is Back Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 5:11 pm
And I would bet if he exercised his “right” to not wear a mask, he probably would have been detained for that.
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 5:13 pm
This reaction by law enforcement was totally unacceptable. It also indicates why some conceal carry citizens were asking the questions of how they would be treated if some individuals interpreted the Conceal Carry law inappropriately.
Comment by Southern Belle Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 5:18 pm
That’s too bad what happened to Rep Buckner. I can believe it. There was a black friend of mine who worked with me when I was at CMS. I had lived in Springfield for over 30 years and he had been here about 10 and he had been pulled over and checked out by the police more times than I had.
Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 6:04 pm
It’s an interesting contrast to see the courage of Rep. Buckner in comparison to his counterparts Cabello and Bailey with their manufactured grievances.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 6:23 pm
===COVID will not break us. It will only reveal to us what is already broken. There’s a lot to be fixed.===
Double amen to that.
Comment by nadia Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 6:47 pm
I don’t believe it.
Comment by Northern Illini Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 7:29 pm
This incident is a sobering reminder of the effect of the callous actions of others.
Comment by ESR Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 7:38 pm
“I don’t believe it.”
Yes, you do.
–MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, May 5, 20 @ 7:48 pm
It may be true however it is an assumption that this happened due to the color of his skin. Maybe they were spot checking or maybe he did in fact do something innocuous that “appeared” suspicious. Seems like a leap.
Comment by Union Dues Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 8:32 am
Oh baloney, Union Dues. He was stopped because he’s black. Some police would have stopped him if he was wearing a suit.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 9:28 am
Cheryl44, you have zero way of knowing that. Neither you or I know.
Comment by Union Dues Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 9:36 am
Policing is broken in our communities and Covid 19 has exposed the brokenness …again. Stopping a guy exiting a store with a cart dressed in a hoodie with a mask, give me a break. Maybe the officer could check out folks who aren’t wearing masks, or maybe focus on those who are actually breaking the law.
Comment by Froganon Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 9:54 am
=== Maybe they were spot checking or maybe he did in fact do something innocuous that “appeared” suspicious. ===
If that is the case the police office could have said that they were doing spot checks, but the police office didn’t say that - the officer said “it looks like you were up to something”
Comment by Powdered Whig Wednesday, May 6, 20 @ 12:49 pm