Bias

Police Racism or Celebrity Entitlement

Race card or fame card

Posted September 15, 2014

African-American actress Daniele Watts refused to give her identification to LAPD after police responded to a call last Thursday about a couple’s “lewd acts in a car”. The actress in Django Unchained, defended the decision by saying in an interview with CNN today, "I believe in America and what it stands for" and accused the police of hurting and harassing her because she’s black and unfairly stereotyping her as a black prostitute with a White John.

In her retort, she felt she was justified in defying the police order on the basis of our country’s belief in individual liberties and stance against racism. The African-American actress and her white boyfriend felt the police had gone too far by asking for her ID when she said she was only making a public display of affection. But according to other reports (see L.A. Times article), she and her boyfriend were having sex in a Mercedes with the car door open for all to see. Nevertheless, she was the one to first bring up the race card and then the celebrity entitlement card when she realized the officer wasn’t going to take the bait.

If you listen to the audio of the conversation, you can clearly tell LAPD Sgt. Jim Parker is a professional in handling these types of situations. He never raised his voice, stayed on point, or was intimidated when Watts mentioned she has a publicist. But what’s just as striking is Watts’ presumption that this was a racist and personal attack on her.

In the audio conversation obtained by TMZ, Watts is defensive and also calls her father and yelling expletives, “Daddy I can’t believe it, of all the things I can’t make out with my boyfriend in front of my f%#!! studio!”

Portions of Audio Transcript:

Watts: “You know how many times the cops have been called for me just being black?!

Officer: Who brought up the race card?

Watts: I’m bringing it up.

Officer: I said nothing about you being black.

Watts: What is the problem is you think you’re better than me, you think you have more power than me…you want to destroy me?!”

Other notable comments by the actress:

"I think I'd like to identify you ... to my publicist."
"I serve freedom and love. You guys serve detainment. That's cool."
"I hope when you're f***ing your spouses you really feel alive."

What we have hear is unfortunately a case of celebrity entitlement where the actress is trying to taint the police for doing their job. In no way was there harassment or racist innuendo of any sort. If we as a country want to stand for equality, freedom, and justice then it’s apparent we have to discern the difference between racism and following police protocol.