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Demonstrators rally against police brutality in memory of Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York. The New York City medical examiner’s office ruled that Garner, the 43-year-old father of six, died from a chokehold and chest compressions while being arrested by the police on July 17, 2014. (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

The Michael Brown and Eric Garner cases have put gasoline on racial tensions in our country. After the grand jury decided not to indict NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo, a hashtag called #CrimingWhileWhite was created by Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon writer Jason Ross, who shared his story of a childhood run-in with the law. Beginning last night, the hashtag brought in tweets about white privilege as well as the privilege that police officers receive in the eyes of the law. “Arrested for DUI, cop took me to drive through ATM so I’d have money to bail myself out. #crimingwhilewhite,” read one tweet. “At 13 I stole a car with my friends & drove it 2wks before we got busted. Only one charged was black. #CrimingWhileWhite,” read another. Read more.


Black St. Louis Police Officers Show Support for Rams Players

Although the St. Louis Police Officers Association demanded an apology from the St. Louis Rams for  five of its players staging a silent protest in solidarity with Ferguson demonstrators, not everyone in their department was on board. Earlier this week, a group that represents African American police officers in St. Louis released a statement supporting the Rams players who entered a recent NFL football game doing the “hands up, don’t shoot” gesture. The statement, released by the Ethical Society of Police, blatantly contradicts the one released by other police reps in St. Louis. “We think that their actions were commendable and that they should not be ridiculed, disciplined or punished for taking a stand on this very important issue which is of great concern around the world and especially in the community where these players work,” read the statement. “The statement of the St. Louis Police Officers Association do not reflect the opinions of the majority of African American police officers in the department because there are no African Americans on their governing board.” Read more.


Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer to Star in a New Film

Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer will star in a new movie that explores how race can intertwine in custody battles. “Black or White,” a film written and directed by actor Mike Binder, tells the story of an attorney widowed after his wife dies in a car accident, and who also is raising his bi-racial granddaughter Eloise because her mother passed away during childbirth. The child’s African American grandmother wants her to be raised by her black father. Read more.

NewsOne Minute: #CrimingWhileWhite Hashtag Takes Over Twitter In Light of Eric Garner Verdict  was originally published on newsone.com