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Woman Shares All The Crimes She’s Committed Despite Having No Criminal Record To Illustrate White Privilege
Krista Vernoff is a TV screenwriter, showrunner, executive producer and director, best known for running the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. She’s also white. Which, according to Vernoff herself, has been her the most important mitigating circumstance every time she got herself into trouble.
So, to make a case for defunding the police, Vernoff tweeted all the times she escaped consequences due to her race. From drunk driving and stealing thousands of dollars worth of goods to beating people up, the woman shared it all and even inspired other people to do the same.
RELATED:
Image credits: KristaVernoff
Image credits: KristaVernoff
Image credits: KristaVernoff
Image credits: KristaVernoff
Image credits: KristaVernoff
Image credits: KristaVernoff
Image credits: KristaVernoff
Image credits: KristaVernoff
Image credits: KristaVernoff
Image credits: KristaVernoff
Image credits: KristaVernoff
Vernoff said she was inspired to share the stories after learning about the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks, who was shot during a struggle with Atlanta police after he was found sleeping in his car in the drive-thru lane of a Wendy’s.
Vernoff talking about white privilege would probably strike a chord with Frances E. Kendall, Ph.D. , a consultant for organizational change specializing in issues of diversity and white privilege. Kendall thinks this subject is extremely difficult for white folks to discuss because many of them don’t feel powerful or as if they have privileges others do not. “It is sort of like asking fish to notice water or birds to discuss air,” Kendall wrote. “For those who have privileges based on race or gender or class or physical ability or sexual orientation or age, it just is – it’s normal.”
Kendall thinks white people can — and should — try to engage in conversations about their privilege more often. “While people of color understand the necessity of being able to read the white system, those of us who are white are able to live out our lives knowing very little of the experiences of people of color. Understanding racism or whiteness is often an intellectual exercise for us, something we can work at for a period of time and then move on, rather than its being central to our survival.”
So, our dear readers, let’s do just that; let’s discuss white privilege in the comments. We are eagerly awaiting your thoughts on the subject.
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What do you think ?
Daria B 5 years ago
A bit off-topic, but seeing what people say on various sites and articles on the matter, I have to say it. I think, rather than one group being privileged, it's more like the other group was denied basic human rights. It doesn't make the situation any better, but at least it shifts the focus onto empathy, instead of generating hateful over-analysis and competitions to who's more miserable. Language does matter, it really affects people's thoughts. (And I say this as someone legally qualified in linguistics, not as some random "angry Karen")
Catlady6000 5 years ago
You make a good point. I find it very insightful. Unfortunately, privilege does figure in a lot, not just police, but in education, pay , healthcare, the legal system as a whole, etc. and while it's common across the board that those in lower economic groups to face these disparities, when you add in color, ethnicity, gender, etc. it's even more obvious and widespread
Load More Replies...
Starbelly Eleven 5 years ago
I'm a white woman and I've been arrested and charged for shoplifting and drunk driving. I was assaulted by a cop in the elevator at the police station by a cop that wasn't my arresting officer. My arresting officer was there and did nothing. Every time I've gotten pulled over I've gotten a ticket. I'm not saying that privilege doesn't exist, but that it isn't consistent.
Katie and Jared Coates 5 years ago
Sure! I went to jail and have a lot of tickets. But the ones where I SHOULD have been to jail, or gotten a ticket I did not. And it was because of my skin color in SC. Florida too.
Load More Replies...
Šimon Špaček 5 years ago
I never had problems with police, but also my biggest crime is probablly bad crossing. But I know few people from USA who had been hold on gun-point for things like "not having driving licence and registration in sunshield above head, but in glovebox (that white-middle age university teacher just turned to right and when he turned back, he was looking in gun).
Bill 5 years ago (edited)
Ask and wait for permission to get credentials. When you just start reaching the officer is going to assume the worst no matter what color you are.
Load More Replies...
hobbitly 5 years ago
She is asking white people to think about the crimes they've committed? How about none. I never did any of those stuff she did. And instead of wanting everybody to get away with what she is getting away with, she should not get away with it either!! Drunk driving should have consequences regardless of your skin colour. So not just a warning or being shot to death, but a decent punishment for everybody who breaks the rules.
Charlotte 5 years ago
I was attacked by a group of about 30 kids from my school when I was a teen. Only one of the group was black. Reported it to school and police. Guess how many students were punished by the school? Guess who the police chose to talk to in person? That's right. One: the black girl. Everyone else got away with it, and it wasn't an isolated incident. White privilege is real.
Nathan Jones 5 years ago
I don't doubt the point you're trying to make, I've seen it happen a lot. The part of your story I do doubt is that you were attacked by 30 people and not only survived, but didn't suffer any traumatic brain damage. 30 on one isn't just a lot, it's deadly.
Load More Replies...
Incel Slayer 5 years ago
This is not just a problem in the US, unfortunately. When I lived in Netherlands, where you are required to carry your ID at all times, my french/african friend was arrested for forgetting his residence card and held by the police for seven days. He lost his job and apartment and was only released after getting the consulate involved. He was a legal resident and not committing or suspected of any crimes when the cops approached him for his ID. I (white female expat) was not asked for my ID by police once in ten years of living there, and all stories I've heard about white expats being found without ID involved them being allowed to call a friend to retrieve it (my friend could have done this but wasn't allowed).
Viviane 5 years ago
Or was. Let's hope she's a better person now. Being a TV screenwriter, showrunner, executive producer and director isn't proof of improvement, but it sounds as if she's at least stopped attacking people at parties.
Load More Replies... Susan 5 years ago (edited)
Thank you to the woman who posted this. I've been wondering why there are so many racists, and just general stupidity on Bored Panda for awhile now. I guess it's as simple as because it's tolerated here. Racism is everywhere in America. You can't get away from it. It's the perfect combination of idiocy and evil. I bet this post will be deleted, or invisible soon because of all the down votes. Racists hate being called racists. Keep fighting the good fight good people. I've just got to add something for the especially intellectually challenged folks. You can stop pointing out that she wouldn't have been involved with the police at all if she weren't a criminal. That is obvious to the very stupidest reader. That is not the point of her post. The point is that the police let her off, despite her being a criminal, because she is white. That is white privilege. Do you not get it? Really?!
Blue Panda 5 years ago
100% agreement. Like they are missing the WHOLE point of the post and only focusing on the same opinions they give day in and say out. People! She knows shes wrong that's part of the post. smdh
Load More Replies...
Zophra 5 years ago
I'm having trouble seeing the forest for the tree. She is a immature, self-centered person which makes it harder to focus on her valid point.
Dilly Millandry 5 years ago
Or was that person. At least she is using her dodgy past to make an important point now. People can change and learn to be better.
Load More Replies...
Dippin Dot 5 years ago
A man broke into my house this morning while my son was home alone. I called the police. They got to my house and stayed with him until I got home, and I have never been more thankful for else enforcement
Spikey Bunny 5 years ago
I'm glad your son is ok. I'm so glad they stayed with your son. How terrifying!!! Yes, the police have an important place in society... but, we still need change, and to recognize the need for that change.
Load More Replies... Daria B 5 years ago
A bit off-topic, but seeing what people say on various sites and articles on the matter, I have to say it. I think, rather than one group being privileged, it's more like the other group was denied basic human rights. It doesn't make the situation any better, but at least it shifts the focus onto empathy, instead of generating hateful over-analysis and competitions to who's more miserable. Language does matter, it really affects people's thoughts. (And I say this as someone legally qualified in linguistics, not as some random "angry Karen")
Catlady6000 5 years ago
You make a good point. I find it very insightful. Unfortunately, privilege does figure in a lot, not just police, but in education, pay , healthcare, the legal system as a whole, etc. and while it's common across the board that those in lower economic groups to face these disparities, when you add in color, ethnicity, gender, etc. it's even more obvious and widespread
Load More Replies... Starbelly Eleven 5 years ago
I'm a white woman and I've been arrested and charged for shoplifting and drunk driving. I was assaulted by a cop in the elevator at the police station by a cop that wasn't my arresting officer. My arresting officer was there and did nothing. Every time I've gotten pulled over I've gotten a ticket. I'm not saying that privilege doesn't exist, but that it isn't consistent.
Katie and Jared Coates 5 years ago
Sure! I went to jail and have a lot of tickets. But the ones where I SHOULD have been to jail, or gotten a ticket I did not. And it was because of my skin color in SC. Florida too.
Load More Replies... Šimon Špaček 5 years ago
I never had problems with police, but also my biggest crime is probablly bad crossing. But I know few people from USA who had been hold on gun-point for things like "not having driving licence and registration in sunshield above head, but in glovebox (that white-middle age university teacher just turned to right and when he turned back, he was looking in gun).
Bill 5 years ago (edited)
Ask and wait for permission to get credentials. When you just start reaching the officer is going to assume the worst no matter what color you are.
Load More Replies... hobbitly 5 years ago
She is asking white people to think about the crimes they've committed? How about none. I never did any of those stuff she did. And instead of wanting everybody to get away with what she is getting away with, she should not get away with it either!! Drunk driving should have consequences regardless of your skin colour. So not just a warning or being shot to death, but a decent punishment for everybody who breaks the rules.
Charlotte 5 years ago
I was attacked by a group of about 30 kids from my school when I was a teen. Only one of the group was black. Reported it to school and police. Guess how many students were punished by the school? Guess who the police chose to talk to in person? That's right. One: the black girl. Everyone else got away with it, and it wasn't an isolated incident. White privilege is real.
Nathan Jones 5 years ago
I don't doubt the point you're trying to make, I've seen it happen a lot. The part of your story I do doubt is that you were attacked by 30 people and not only survived, but didn't suffer any traumatic brain damage. 30 on one isn't just a lot, it's deadly.
Load More Replies... Incel Slayer 5 years ago
This is not just a problem in the US, unfortunately. When I lived in Netherlands, where you are required to carry your ID at all times, my french/african friend was arrested for forgetting his residence card and held by the police for seven days. He lost his job and apartment and was only released after getting the consulate involved. He was a legal resident and not committing or suspected of any crimes when the cops approached him for his ID. I (white female expat) was not asked for my ID by police once in ten years of living there, and all stories I've heard about white expats being found without ID involved them being allowed to call a friend to retrieve it (my friend could have done this but wasn't allowed).
Viviane 5 years ago
Or was. Let's hope she's a better person now. Being a TV screenwriter, showrunner, executive producer and director isn't proof of improvement, but it sounds as if she's at least stopped attacking people at parties.
Load More Replies... Susan 5 years ago (edited)
Thank you to the woman who posted this. I've been wondering why there are so many racists, and just general stupidity on Bored Panda for awhile now. I guess it's as simple as because it's tolerated here. Racism is everywhere in America. You can't get away from it. It's the perfect combination of idiocy and evil. I bet this post will be deleted, or invisible soon because of all the down votes. Racists hate being called racists. Keep fighting the good fight good people. I've just got to add something for the especially intellectually challenged folks. You can stop pointing out that she wouldn't have been involved with the police at all if she weren't a criminal. That is obvious to the very stupidest reader. That is not the point of her post. The point is that the police let her off, despite her being a criminal, because she is white. That is white privilege. Do you not get it? Really?!
Blue Panda 5 years ago
100% agreement. Like they are missing the WHOLE point of the post and only focusing on the same opinions they give day in and say out. People! She knows shes wrong that's part of the post. smdh
Load More Replies... Zophra 5 years ago
I'm having trouble seeing the forest for the tree. She is a immature, self-centered person which makes it harder to focus on her valid point.
Dilly Millandry 5 years ago
Or was that person. At least she is using her dodgy past to make an important point now. People can change and learn to be better.
Load More Replies... Dippin Dot 5 years ago
A man broke into my house this morning while my son was home alone. I called the police. They got to my house and stayed with him until I got home, and I have never been more thankful for else enforcement
Spikey Bunny 5 years ago
I'm glad your son is ok. I'm so glad they stayed with your son. How terrifying!!! Yes, the police have an important place in society... but, we still need change, and to recognize the need for that change.
Load More Replies...
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