Black Voicesdaniel pantaleo nypdhashtagseric garner nypd

#AliveWhileBlack Highlights The Ugly Discrimination Black America Knows Too Well

#AliveWhileBlack Highlights The Ugly Discrimination Black America Knows Too Well
Sara Boboltz
By 

Reporter, HuffPost

Protests spread around the country Wednesday night after a grand jury decided not to bring charges in the July death of Eric Garner, a black Staten Island man who died when a police officer placed him in a chokehold. The non-indictment came just over a week after a grand jury declined to indict a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, for the killing of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, amid an impassioned national discussion on race in the U.S.

Adding to that debate, Twitter users have begun sharing stories of racial discrimination using the hashtag #AliveWhileBlack. Many have described instances of unfair treatment at the hands of police officers, who they say have stopped and questioned them for merely shopping in a store or driving a nice car.

The tweets present an appallingly sharp image of everyday indignities faced by black Americans. While another hashtag that has exploded on Twitter since news of the grand jury's decision, #CrimingWhileWhite, reveals the privilege white Americans sometimes enjoy in their interactions with law enforcement, #AliveWhileBlack provides anecdotal evidence of the broken relationship between police officers and black Americans.

The claims in the above tweets have not been independently verified by The Huffington Post.

Before You Go

Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Demonstrators walk together during a protest December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Protesters walk on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Protesters walk on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Elijah Nouvelage via Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 3: Jessica Long of San Francisco holds a 'Justice for Oscar Grant' poster during a demonstration following a Staten Island, New York grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Oakland, California. The store was vandalized and looted last week during protests. The grand jury declined to indict New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner's death. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Essence Coggins, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, speaks as demonstrators block an intersection in the Adams Morgan neighborhood during a protest against a New York grand jury decision December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Demonstrators march in the street during a protest against a New York grand jury December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Demonstrators march in the street during a protest against a New York grand jury December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Demonstrators march in the street during a protest against a New York grand jury December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Demonstrators march in the street during a protest against a New York grand jury December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Demonstrators block an intersection in the Adams Morgan neighborhood during a protest against a New York grand jury decision December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Demonstrators march in the street during a protest against a New York grand jury December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Protesters walk on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Protesters walk together on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Police follow protesters on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Police clash with protesters on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Police clash with protesters on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: A protester holds up Garner's photo while walking on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Police watch protesters on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Protesters walk on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Police walk through protesters clash on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Protesters walk on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Protesters walk on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Police clash with protesters on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Police arrest a protester on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Elijah Nouvelage via Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 3: Protesters face off following a Staten Island, New York grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Oakland, California. The grand jury declined to indict New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner's death. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
Elijah Nouvelage via Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 3: Protesters demonstrate following a Staten Island, New York grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Oakland, California. The grand jury declined to indict New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner's death. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
Elijah Nouvelage via Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 3: David Scott of Oakland leads a chant while marching down Broadway during a demonstration following a Staten Island, New York grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Oakland, California. The grand jury declined to indict New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner's death. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
Elijah Nouvelage via Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 3: Protesters demonstrate following a Staten Island, New York grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Oakland, California. The grand jury declined to indict New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner's death. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
Elijah Nouvelage via Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 3: Paulina Fraser (C), a social justice in education major at San Francisco State University, during a demonstration following a Staten Island, New York grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Oakland, California. The grand jury declined to indict New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner's death. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Demonstrators block traffic on Highway I-395 during a protest against a New York grand jury decision December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Demonstrators block traffic on Highway I-395 during a protest against a New York grand jury decision December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Shaun Reid raises his hands as police follow demonstrators off Highway I-395 during a protest against a New York grand jury decision December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Demonstrators block traffic on Highway I-395 during a protest against a New York grand jury decision December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Demonstrators block traffic on Highway I-395 during a protest against a New York grand jury decision December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: John Robinson, of Washington, DC, raises his hands while passing a police car as demonstrators march in the streets during a protest against a New York grand jury decision December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Drivers try to pass demonstrators blocking traffic on Highway I-395 during a protest against a New York grand jury decision December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Demonstrators block traffic on Highway I-395 during a protest against a New York grand jury decision December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Shaun Reid raises his hands as police follow demonstrators off Highway I-395 during a protest against a New York grand jury decision December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Protesters raise their hands to police on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
T.J. Kirkpatrick via Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 03: Demonstrators block traffic on Highway I-395 during a protest against a New York grand jury decision December 3, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, after putting him in a chokehold. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Police watch protesters stand together on the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Police escort protesters off the West Side Highway December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
David McNew via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 3: Protesters march in response to the decision by a New York grand jury not to indict a police officer involved in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The decision follows a similar ruling last week in which white Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson was not indicted in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. Those protests resulted in hundreds of arrests in Los Angeles. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
David McNew via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 3: Protesters march in response to the decision by a New York grand jury not to indict a police officer involved in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The decision follows a similar ruling last week in which white Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson was not indicted in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. Those protests resulted in hundreds of arrests in Los Angeles. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
David McNew via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 3: Protesters march in response to the decision by a New York grand jury not to indict a police officer involved in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The decision follows a similar ruling last week in which white Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson was not indicted in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. Those protests resulted in hundreds of arrests in Los Angeles. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
David McNew via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 3: Protesters march in response to the decision by a New York grand jury not to indict a police officer involved in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The decision follows a similar ruling last week in which white Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson was not indicted in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. Those protests resulted in hundreds of arrests in Los Angeles. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
David McNew via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 3: Protesters march in response to the decision by a New York grand jury not to indict a police officer involved in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The decision follows a similar ruling last week in which white Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson was not indicted in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. Those protests resulted in hundreds of arrests in Los Angeles. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Demonstrators walk together during a protest December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Demonstrators walk together during a protest December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Demonstrators walk together during a protest December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Demonstrators walk together during a protest December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Demonstrators walk together during a protest December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Yana Paskova via Getty Images
NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: A cab driver watches protesters December 3, 2014 in New York. Protests began after a Grand Jury decided to not indict officer Daniel Pantaleo. Eric Garner died after being put in a chokehold by Pantaleo on July 17, 2014. Pantaleo had suspected Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
Elijah Nouvelage via Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 3: Maya Malika of Oakland confronts a line of police officers during a demonstration following a Staten Island, New York grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Oakland, California. The grand jury declined to indict New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner's death. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
Elijah Nouvelage via Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 3: Police officers take cover from the rain in a bus stop and under the awning of a Chase bank during a demonstration following a Staten Island, New York grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Oakland, California. The grand jury declined to indict New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner's death. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
Elijah Nouvelage via Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 3: Protesters march past a boarded up Smart and Final store during a demonstration following a Staten Island, New York grand jury's decision not to indict a police officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner on December 3, 2014 in Oakland, California. The store was vandalized and looted last week during protests. The grand jury declined to indict New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo in Garner's death. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)
|
Submit a tip
Close

What's Hot