Nearly 1,000 White college students gathered to party in Columbus, Ohio. They came to celebrate the “Chitt Fest,” a series of spring block parties. But this year, their brand of fun included damaging property and flipping seven cars. When the police responded, the revelers seem unfazed and unbothered. Flipping cars without a care is the apex of White privilege.

The officers responded to the event from a distance. Using a megaphone, they said, “They’ll come down when it’s safe for them.” When it comes to confronting Black protesters, police seem to have the will of fire. Yet, when it comes…

Protesters took to the streets after hearing the news. A Brooklyn Center officer shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright. Many wondered how this could happen again. Another unarmed Black man lost his life from a police encounter. Wright died a few miles away from Minneapolis, where George Floyd’s death played on repeat. The jury has yet to deliberate Derek Chauvin’s guilt, though that day will soon arrive. The physical and thematic proximity of these cases shocked an already grieving community. Kim Potter, a 26-year-old veteran of the force, and the police chief have since resigned from their positions. But, before…

In North Carolina, officers arrested a six-year-old Black boy for picking a tulip near his bus stop. The aftermath of this flower-picking incident shows racism can blossom at any time. Inequality doesn’t wait until a Black person reaches a particular age or milestone. Rather, systemic racism starts impacting children at a young age and never stops. It seems Black innocence is like petals, lost to the wind.

Currently, America doesn’t have a federal law that protects children as young as six from arrest. Each state decides at what age a person can stand trial. …

WEOC Profile

Hi, world. I’m Allison, and I love writing about race, equality, women, and history. I’m interested in social sciences, which is why I’m a Ph.D. candidate. But, let’s get down to the fundamentals, who I am and what I stand for.

I’m a New Orleans native. That’s right. I’m from the very bottom of the map. And, while the South isn’t an ideal place to live for Black people, my family has found a way to make it work. We each found our niche. For me, it’s always been writing. Though I must admit, I’ve always been a radical. Even…

An older Black man leaned against a chain-link fence across the street from the market. He needed a break from work, and in our pocket of the French Quarter, smoking was the only way management would allow him to step away from the dish pit. Doctors told him he had lung cancer. He beat it before and continued to smoke one Green pack of Kools each day — those are the mentholated ones. He called them “joes,” and smiled, telling stories as the smoke passed in and out his mouth. No one could deny his age-old habit continued to cause…

If you grew up watching Disney movies, you probably noticed some common trends — family values and Whiteness. White princesses, princes, heroes, and villains dotted the Silver screen for decades. But Disney isn’t getting teary-eyed reminiscing over their whites-only past. Instead, they are taking leaps forward, applying a proactive approach to diversity.

Now that Disney introduced a White Privilege Checklist, they’re asking employees to check their privilege at the front door. Is the world ready for this type of diversity intervention at a Fortune 500 Company? We’re about to find out.

The document suggests that employees reflect on the diversity…

Hi there. If you haven’t heard the news, we’re starting our first WEOC project. As a collective, we will focus on educating the public about The 1619 Project. This ongoing initiative, created by Nikole Hannah-Jones explores American history starting with 1619. The goal of this project is to realign educational curricula to explore and encompass Black history.

While many of us grew up learning history through a white-washed lens, Nikole Hannah Jones’s 1619 Project encourages America to change course. …

Black Lives Matter

Former Georgia Deputy Cody Griggers bragged in text messages about abusing his authority. “I’m going to charge them with whatever felonies I can to take away their ability to vote,” he wrote. The idea of an officer joyfully placing false charges on Black people is terrifying. Police officers wield an enormous amount of power over the communities they serve. Griggers’ statement shows how dangerous this position becomes when held by White supremacists.

He bragged about beating a Black man he had in custody. Showing no remorse whatsoever, he said it gave him “sweet stress relief.” At least that’s what he…