The hashtag #CrimingWhileWhite is now trending on Twitter in response to the recent cases of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, black men who were killed by white police officers after breaking the law. Officers Darren Wilson and Daniel Pantaleo were both not indicted by grand juries, prompting a national discussion on racial discrimination in America.
White Americans are now confessing crimes that they committed receiving little or no punishment using the hashtag #CrimingWhileWhite. The crimes range from minor infractions such as moving violations to serious encounters with police that could have led to arrests.
Nancy Arents wrote, “Many white friend pulled over for DUI in college. Cops followed them home to make sure they got home safe, no arrests. #CrimingWhileWhite.”
Joel Watson said, “I shoplifted when I was 14 and they let me go because my parents came down and we “looked like a nice family. #CrimingWhile White.”
From Cecily Kellogg, “At 13 I stole a car with my friends & drove it 2wks before we got busted. Only one charged was black. #CrimingWhileWhite.”
The confessions are still being posted to Twitter. Other trending topics relating to racial discrimination on the social media website include #WalkingWhileBlack and #AliveWhileBlack.
Publication date: December 4, 2014
