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The other day, I mentioned I had a tough morning. Generally, I Ike sharing positive interactions I have, but I also want to discuss what happened earlier.
On my way to Pittsburgh, right at the Uniontown exit, I got pulled over.
On my way to Pittsburgh, right at the Uniontown exit, I got pulled over.
I passed the trooper and didn’t think anything of it, because I wasn’t speeding or anything.
Then two miles later, I notice him behind me, so I call my mom and detail what’s happening. Again, I don’t think it’s me, but I decide to move in the right lane.
Then two miles later, I notice him behind me, so I call my mom and detail what’s happening. Again, I don’t think it’s me, but I decide to move in the right lane.
I didn’t pass the car in that lane, knowing the cop was coming up and I didn’t want to speed. The car in front of me starts going slow, so I go slower.
Then the trooper drove parallel to me for a good mile. Actually pulling me over took forever, and I hated that.
Then the trooper drove parallel to me for a good mile. Actually pulling me over took forever, and I hated that.
He finally pulls me over. Walks up to the car, tests my trunk, tests my wheels, doesn’t ever wear a mask the entire exchange.
I’m being pulled over for minor infractions — not passing in the left, being too close to the other car, going under 55 and going over the shoulder line
I’m being pulled over for minor infractions — not passing in the left, being too close to the other car, going under 55 and going over the shoulder line
But he promises if I’m good, I’ll just get a verbal warning. He spends 10 minutes asking me whose car I’m driving. I say it’s a rental, he ask why it has Texas plates, idk it’s a rental. He ask if my license is clean, if there’s anything in the car he should know about?
Yes, my license is clean, and no. Then he comes back and says he actually needs to see the receipt of rental...mind you the insurance says National Car Rental on it. He asks where I’m going, I say Heinz Field, he ask if I know that’s where they play football.
I say yes, because I’m a journalist and covering the game. And that’s when things shift. Suddenly no more questions about where I got the car asked seven ways to Sunday or where I’m coming from or “really” going. I “behaved” so I was good to go, he said. My mom hears all of this
This is the second time in three weeks that I’ve been pulled over and had that conversation about whose car I was driving.
The first trooper, one in NJ, he even had me get out the car, while his partner did the check of the vehicle and never explained why he stopped me.
The first trooper, one in NJ, he even had me get out the car, while his partner did the check of the vehicle and never explained why he stopped me.
My friends had to sit there, and we were all asked if there was anything in the car and if everyone had IDs on them. That cop made a quip about how I was “young” to have an executive membership with National, and didn’t believe me when I told him my friends and I were hiking.
I wish you all could’ve seen the look on his face when I told him we were going to the Catskills. He asked me why we want to go there, and I explained my friends and I have been going through it, and then I had to explain what we were specifically going through.
Only once I told him what I do, that the entire situation changed. He asked what my friends do, all of us journalists. I kid you not, when I explained one of my friends just did a series on the protest that broke out regarding police brutality, that man let me go not a min later.
I hate that. What I do shouldn’t be the reason you second guess how you’re treating me or anyone else in my car.
Why is it so hard to believe I have a Charger? Why do you think I have anything illegal in my car?
Why is it so hard to believe I have a Charger? Why do you think I have anything illegal in my car?
What I hate more than anything is I feel like I had to pick between standing up for myself and my dignity versus my safety. I wanted names and badge numbers in both cases, but then I worry about them retaliating even though they were wrong.
Do I want to get out of there sooner or prolong this experience I don’t want to be in? Do I challenge some of the remarks they’re making or let it slide, so I can go on with my day? I had to make myself small for my safety and that of my friends.
It’s degrading putting your hands on the dash or wheel or on your laps or being asked to step out or continuously being asked if you have something in the car or being told you’re “kinda young” to have an elite membership, because why is that even necessary to say?
And I’m not special, people go through this all the time. What’s worse, I love driving and going new places, but these experiences chip away at that joy. As if this year wasn’t long enough. I hope y’all actually listen to people when they explain these things happen to them.
Some of you have asked why I didn’t say more. I made a business decision. My mom was listening, the last thing I wanted was anything to happen and her to hear it. She’s three hours away and can’t help me. I put my pride aside, I played small, so I could get there and home safely.
I don’t feel good about not standing up for myself. It bothers me. But my mom has already watched me get called the n word and everything else this summer. I made a choice to not press the issue so the situation wouldn’t escalate, and I could be left alone.
My mom told me not cry or give him the satisfaction of seeing me upset. She told me she wanted me to get back home to them safely. So I let things slide to achieve that end game, and I hope none of you ever have to know what that feels like it.
