Read on Twitter
When I was 13, I was arrested outside Target for shoplifting and charged with commercial burglary (I had a note proving intent to steal in my possession), but after my parents made a few calls, I was released with a slap on the wrist.
THREAD:
THREAD:
When I was 15, I got caught shoplifting CDs from Virgin Records while abroad on a family vacation in the UK, but after my parents and their wealthy friends made a few calls, I was released with a warning.
When I was 16, I was arrested for a DUI in a Jack In The Box drive-thru, but after my parents did their thing, I was released and the charges were reduced to a “reckless driving” ticket. 2 points on my license.
When I was 17, the police pulled me off the beach in Hawaii for drinking in public. I had a huge bag of weed stuffed down my pants that was making hella noise while I walked. I gave the cops a fake ID that said I was 21...
... Because minors were present, they told me I was breaking the law by providing them with alcohol, and then they told me to grab the beer and take the party elsewhere.
When I was 18, I was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance, but my parents got me a good lawyer who knew the D.A. who knew the judge, and they got the charges downgraded to a “plain drunk” misdemeanor.
Later that year I was accepted into UCSB.
Later that year I was accepted into UCSB.
When I was 21, I got pulled over for making an illegal U-turn high on pills & was arrested for driving under the influence. A few calls later, I was released on my own recognizance. After a few more calls my charges were dropped to a “wet reckless,” whatever the fuck that means?
When I was 23, I was accepted into NYU’s Graduate Film Program.
When I was 26, I won Best Director and the Audience Award at The Sundance Film Festival.
When I was 26, I won Best Director and the Audience Award at The Sundance Film Festival.
When I was 28, I blacked out while driving, and totalled my car outside a trendy Hollywood club. I came-to in the drunk tank. A friend bailed me out with $1250 in cash. After a few calls, my lawyer got my charges dropped to another reckless driving...
...and I was given 120 hours of community service. My license was suspended, except for driving to/from work or community service, for which the judge allowed me to produce a marketing video for a job training program.
When I was 32, I bought some hard drugs in East LA, and on the way home, I was pulled over for driving through a crosswalk while a pedestrian was in it. I was high as fuck and jonesing… the officer stuck his head in my window...
...his face just inches from my stash. “Be more careful next time,” he said, and walked away.
When I was 33, I got sober.
When I was 33, I got sober.
Today, I’m 17 years clean. I have a successful career in television, and a beautiful 5 year-old daughter.
When I look back on all these encounters with police, I don’t ever recall feeling like I was in any physical danger.
When I look back on all these encounters with police, I don’t ever recall feeling like I was in any physical danger.
I used to say I was just lucky.
But now I see it wasn’t luck at all, it was because I was born white.
But now I see it wasn’t luck at all, it was because I was born white.
Thank you @KristaVernoff for inspiring me to share my story of white privilege.
Now I ask my white friends to please share theirs.
Now I ask my white friends to please share theirs.
