Posted on 10/22/2018 2:19:07 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
The New York Times's opinion department is partnering with comedian Niecy Nash on a new satirical hotline for white people to call when they can't "cope with black people living life near them."
The hotline mocks the rash of real-world incidents over the past year in which white people have called the police on black people who are not doing anything illegal. Viral videos and stories have featured white callers notifying authorities as nearby African-Americans participate in family barbecues, nap in a college dorm lounge, move into their new homes and other innocuous activities.
Between cellphone cameras and social media, Nash says in voiceover for a fake infomercial posted Monday to the Times's opinion section, “calling 911 on your black or brown neighbors just isn’t what it used to be.”
Nash then introduces herself as an "actress, inventor and advocate for not calling 911 on black people for no goddamn reason," advising viewers to call a new hotline, 1-844-WYT-FEAR, instead of 911, for such instances.
The infomercial features black operators at the "hotline" advising white people who are frightened by the people of color around them. Nash promises the hotline will "save you all the headaches of being filmed and outed as a racist douche."
The phone number actually goes to a hotline, which ultimately encourages callers to tell the Times opinions section about a time they were unfairly harassed.
"Thank you for calling 1-844-WYT-FEAR," an operator says if the number is called. "We are here to address your urgent concerns about black or brown people living their life near you."
The operator first gives the caller the option to "press 1" if they are "feeling scared about a black or brown person in your proximity."
"Warning," the operator says. "If hearing Spanish is triggering for you, please cover your ears now." The message repeats in Spanish.
The hotline reminds the caller that they should not report black people to the police because African-Americans are more likely to experience force and endure longer sentences in the American criminal justice system.
"Based on your menu selection, we have determined that you are not in danger and probably just racist," the operator ultimately says.
The hotline and accompanying parody infomercial both encourage viewers to call or message the newspaper with stories of when they were unfairly harassed while doing nothing wrong.
"While this New York Times hotline is a satire, the issue is very real," the operator says.
The Times on Monday published a list of 39 reported incidents over the last year in which white people have called the authorities on black people even though they were doing nothing harmful or illegal.
Hi. My name is Jerry Wolkowitz. I just had my head smash in. Lets have a laugh.
The Ghetto Cop from “Reno 911?”
Stereotypes have consequences...........some times sadly
And how many incidents over the last year were there REAL CRIMES BEING COMMITTED?.......................Hint: It was well over 39...................
I expected something funny from Niecy Nash.
Her Reno 911 character was one of the most racist, anti-black characters on TV.
From that to “Soul Plane” we find that most of the anti-black humor in media is written by, performed by and mocked by blacks themselves.
Ho hum.
No one should call the police for silly things. But, this whole issue is getting ridiculous.
Most of these types of 911 calls are made on “white” people, too. Of course, the media won’t say that; they’d prefer to sow division.
However, we can say it here:
The girl selling water bottles? That story was nothing new. There have been many news stories about children’s lemonade stands actually shut down by police.
Then some of the cases involve people actually disobeying the rules.
Example: The fact is, you’re not supposed to barbecue in that spot in the park. There’s a reason for that rule. Children have been severely burned tripping and falling on hot charcoal dumped in parks.
Example: Use your own key to enter a secured building. Don’t push past the resident at the door. And don’t let anyone you don’t know into the building, either.
“Race” probably was involved in some cases, such as the guy babysitting the kids. OTOH, 911 is sometimes called even on parents out with their OWN children over misunderstandings. I know a woman (white) it happened to.
A few years ago, bulldozers came and cleared a large lot for a housing development behind an existing housing development. I needed a few flat stones to complete a low garden wall, so I went over on Sunday afternoon when the crew was not working and picked up a few stones off the newly-churned-up ground. I am a little old lady, and I didn’t even have a container for the stones — just carried a few to my car trunk. Nevertheless, someone in the neighboring houses called the police on me.
I’m also a small lady, and I had a few incidents with people calling the police on me, too. For example, there were two women who, on separate occasions, called the police because we had an argument (without any physical fighting). Luckily, these women were known to police as having some “issues,” and the police dismissed their claims.
More people should post their stories, unless you and I are the only “criminals” here.
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