Hollywood couple stopped by police, say they were racially profiled

[oberliner]

Source: CNN

Hollywood actors Cherie Johnson and Dennis White say they were improperly stopped by police, put in handcuffs and harshly questioned during a recent weekend getaway in South Carolina. They claim the incident took place because of their race.

"It hurts me more that telling the story, other people are not surprised," Johnson said in an interview on HLN's" Showbiz Tonight" on Monday. "They're not shocked about what we went through. So many people have gone through it, too. I don't understand how come they haven't fought it and how come they just let it go."

Johnson, best known for her roles in TV shows "Punky Brewster" and "Family Matters," and White, from the movie "Notorious," are speaking out about their treatment by a Marion County sheriff's deputy on September 22.

"I've been stopped by the police before, but I've never been fearful for my life," Johnson said on Sunday. "They need some kind of sensitivity training."

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/30/showbiz/cherie-johnson-dennis-white-police-irpt/

[bigdarryl]

1. Just goes to show regardless of your job statues or money

Your still black and profiled

[M0rpheus]

2. Sadly, I'm far from surprised... nt

[oberliner]

4. Disturbing how commonplace this is

Especially in certain parts of the country. And when it doesn't involve celebrities, with impunity.

[M0rpheus]

5. I hate to say it, but...

It has always been this way.

The internet just makes it more obvious if you aren't normally impacted by it.

[L0oniX]

3. I suggest they put swastikas on police uniforms along with SS pins so people will understand.

[heaven05]

21. it seems to be more

appropriate to wear them everyday for the security forces of amerikkka.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

6. They were charged with not showing the proper level of fear.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. Hoping this couple has the PR power to keep the spotlight

on the Marion County Sheriff.

[wilt the stilt]

8. DWB- an offense that keeps recurring

[Shrike47]

9. It's good that incidents like this are getting more attention.

Public opinion can put a lot of pressure on the police. Of course, lawsuits don't hurt, either.

[Blue_Tires]

10. In before a certain DUer spews his apologia for racial profiling

[oberliner]

11. Surely they can be no apology for something like this

Seems pretty black and white, so to speak.

[Blue_Tires]

12. Nothing shocks me anymore after the Trayvon Martin discussions....

A whole lot of posters here had no problem whatsoever with him being followed that night...

[oberliner]

13. Can't blame the police for that one

In this case, we are talking about law enforcement deliberately harassing people simply because of their skin color (Unless there is something more to this story).

[Blue_Tires]

15. True, but I can blame anyone who tries to rationalize

painting us all as criminals...

Actually, I *can* blame the police for after-the-fact profiling, since they were so quick to believe whatever story Zimmerman told them originally, and assume Martin was just some random street thug who got what was coming to him...

[JustAnotherGen]

18. +1

And you are right - they are going to come crawling in here to applaud this.

[oberliner]

22. Good point

They certainly had their role.

[kurosagi]

14. My first girlfriend was in a small town South Carolina

...while I was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. I'm of Mexican decent and she was white, so the local guys weren't too nice to me. I would get pulled over quite a bit for things like not having my seatbelt on when I really was belted in, and my tint was way too dark for the police to even think they saw me unbelted. They knew my Lincoln Towncar with Texas plates.

My point is, the celebs' story sounds about right.

[tofuandbeer]

16. Horrible! That man needs to be stripped of his job.

Good luck finding work, bastard!

[Iggo]

17. Yay, Cops!

They're the best!

[appacom]

19. This happens every day in the real world

[heaven05]

20. reality strikes

high profile people see how MUCH MORE racist certain people in this society have gotten SINCE BO's election to POTUS. Good reality training for these two.