On Saturday, February 6th, 2016, on her way to support a student-led event, Professor Imani Perry was arrested for a single, 3-year-old parking ticket. She was told she could not call anyone to tell them she was being arrested; and was justifiably afraid given that many Black women never make it home after police stops and other encounters with the police. She was handcuffed to a table and told that the department would only take cash, not debit or a check to pay the ticket off. She was patted down by a male officer when there was a female officer present, an undoubtedly intrusive procedure.
We, The Black Justice League, stand in solidarity with Professor Imani Perry, the Princeton University Hughes Rogers Professor of African American Studies. Despite having been in contact with Professor Perry, as she is a mentor to some of us, she has in no way conspired or demanded that students advocate for her. We have chosen, of our own volition and in the interest of justice, to back her. We #StandWithPerry.
In any case, we recognize that even—and especially—if the way she was treated was in alignment with proper conduct for the department, it speaks to broader historical and contemporary issues around the racialized, gendered intimidation and dehumanization of Black people at the hands of the police and in society at large. The law is the lowest common denominator regarding the treatment of Black people.
Many have been paying attention to her account of her arrest on social media. That is the best way to learn about her experience—her story in her own words. Yet the vitriol, hate, and threats that have met Professor Perry’s account are disheartening, to say the least. Disagreements with her stance that she was mistreated do not need to feature overt racial slurs, or other racially coded language.
Some suggest that she should have just paid her parking ticket to avoid being stopped. Yet the payment of a parking ticket is a civic matter—not a criminal one, and certainly not one that warrants being handcuffed to a table. Additionally, the notion that Black people should have immaculate records in order to avoid harassment is flawed and reveals the existence of an unevenly and unfairly applied double standard. It also fundamentally lacks empathy; even a well-educated, kind, and thoughtful individual such as Professor Perry is capable of forgetting about a ticket. The insidious idea that Black people make no genuine mistakes, but are ever-mischievous and dishonest, has weaved its way into the conversations surrounding this incident and is extremely dangerous.
Some of the vitriol has also come from Princeton students via anonymous postings online, much of which insinuates that Professor Perry believes herself to be above the law. In fact, however, many illegal activities go unpunished on college campuses. On this overwhelmingly white campus in particular, many students have consumed alcohol under age, used illegal drugs, and even driven without a license. Yet their white privilege shields them from the realities of state sanctioned intimidation, surveillance, or even mere enforcement of the law.
On Monday, February 8th, we created the hashtag #StandWithPerry, to seize the attention of Princeton University and the country—we wanted Princeton to publicly #StandWithPerry. On Tuesday morning, President Eisgruber wrote a statement that expressed his concern for the events that transpired that Saturday and encouraged respect for Professor Perry and all members of the Princeton Community. He also expressed that he was looking toward the results of the Princeton Police Department’s investigation of the situation, an investigation, he was assured, would be “fair” and “thorough.” While we appreciate the statement, we note that part of white privilege is believing that the police will be “fair” in times of crises and amid profound scrutiny.
We urge the University to publicly #StandWithPerry with transparency, regardless of the statements made by the police department and the outcome of any investigation. We are paying close attention to how the University reacts as an indicator of its value for the personhood of Black faculty and other Black members of its community. The reality is that Professor Perry’s holistic safety and peace of mind are at stake should the Princeton Police Department act on any threats and seek reprisal for her choice to speak publicly on the matter. This is not about political opinions on community policing—this is about Professor Perry’s safety. In truth, it is about the safety of all students and Black people in the Princeton community.
We have been collecting stories from students and people who live in the Princeton area, and have received many stories from Black people and other people of color on the harsh treatment they endured in police interactions. We have received stories from white people who’ve recalled encounters with the Princeton police in which the officers were playful and jocular, eventually letting them off with warnings or light chastisement. To many, this is surprising. To us, this is the reality of policing in the United States.
We denounce those who vilify Professor Perry and seek to invalidate her experiences. We are enraged about the structures, policies, and practices that make her experience–and that of countless Black people–possible. And we are proud to stand with Professor Imani Perry.
-Black Justice League
7 Comments