The death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis prompted some reflection about some experiences I've gone through dealing with police. The specter of "driving while black" is real. Here's my story. Just know: I'm not alone.
I can’t remember the exact day, only that it was a Friday night several years ago. It wasn’t my first encounter with the police, but it’s the one that’s affected my experiences with them ever since — and honestly, in the immediate aftermath, I didn’t take the time to negotiate its lasting effects.
Getting pulled over by the police produces a roller coaster of emotions — fear, anger, curiosity — that cannot be explored in the moment.