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On Sunday, as I was driving home from church, I was pulled over by a state trooper for speeding. I got the ticket and went about my business. I wasn’t angry at the situation, just a little bit annoyed at myself. But then again, I have been driving for over 50 years and this is only my third speeding ticket, so I’m not doing too badly.
I thought about my very first speeding ticket in Texas--
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I was a freshly minted second lieutenant in the US Army, driving my new car from my post in Louisiana to see a friend in Texas. In the middle of nowhere, Texas, at the bottom of a steep hill, was a police officer. I was sure I picked up a little speed going down that hill, but it wasn’t by much.
The officer had on a Smokey Bear hat and tinted glasses. He looked formidable. He ordered me out of the car, put my hands on the car roof, and "spread ‘em." He proceeded to frisk me, but it seemed like more of an opportunity for him to feel me up. He shouted at me that I was a liar and I needed to go to court to figure this all out.
I was really afraid-
I had no idea why he was acting this way--all I did was drive a little fast. I mean, he could do whatever to me in this vast open space with no traffic, no buildings, nothing around. Back then, there were no police body cameras or cell phones. I remember being so shook up, so afraid, probably crying, and he finally let me go. Was all that really necessary?
Fast forward 40-plus years--
I am a white-haired senior lady in Kansas, driving my newish car, when I get pulled over. The trooper was professional and kind, and I admitted that I had been distracted and was speeding. No need to do anything other than show my proof of insurance and my driver’s license, and I was on my way. I apparently did not seem to pose a threat.
White Old Lady Privilege--
I thought about how being a middle-class, white, over-60-year-old woman gave me some privilege. Unlike when I was that cute young thing back in the day. Unlike the person of color who might get pulled over for simply “driving while black.” Or maybe the undocumented brown person who now faces deportation because he was pulled over for a broken taillight. Or the person who struggles financially, who now needs to figure out how to pay that $153 speeding ticket due in 30 days. Do I pay for food or for the fine? Or that international college student who now faces expulsion from school and deportation back to her home country just because she was speeding 10 miles over the speed limit.
White Old Lady Privilege. I got a good lesson this week. How can I use this privilege to help those without it? That’s a lesson for the rest of my life.
Submitted by Elder D
First image: Adobe stock photo
Second image by Charlie Yoon from Pixabay
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3 comments:
Well articulated!! I struggle with white privilege. But my 3 daughters are fighting hard to help correct this wrong. God bless their endeavors! And THANKYOU for bringing attention to this. So sorry for your early adult experience ! Frightening !
As an older white women I have often thought about my privilege in such circumstances and how different it is for so many people. Thank you for telling your story.
Powerful story that should resonate with women of all ages. It also says something about police--some are respectful to women of all ages, and others exhibit cruel, male toxicity. Thanks for sharing.
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