One year has passed since Amy Cooper falsely accused Christian Cooper of calling the cops on her in Central Park, falsely believing her life was in jeopardy. Videos featuring entitled Karens calling police on Black people or belittling service workers have gone viral on social media, garnering millions of views.
1. Amy Cooper
Last year, a video went viral of Amy Cooper calling the police on a Black bird-watcher in Central Park. This exchange took place near The Ramble, where dogs must remain leashed at all times to protect wildlife and birds.
This video went viral because it showed an entitled white woman claiming to be terrified of a Black man and then trying to incite violence against him by calling the police. It is an example of racism at its most destructive. It displays America’s legacy of white superiority with all of its inherent entitlement.
Amy Cooper filed a suit against Franklin Templeton, alleging they engaged in racial discrimination against her and broke federal law by failing to offer her adequate employment protections. Additionally, Cooper claimed the company “perpetuated and legitimized the story of ‘Karen’ vs. an innocent African American for its own perceived benefit, with reckless disregard for what destruction Plaintiff’s life suffered,” as reported by CNN.
However, her claim was dismissed when a judge in Manhattan found Franklin Templeton had acted within their employment scope and did not discriminate against her based on race or gender. Additionally, Cooper failed to demonstrate that Franklin Templeton would not have fired her had she been of another race or gender, according to CNN.
Cooper and her lawyers had opportunities to do better in her case, however the judge noted that factors like video quality, nature of footage and audio clarity could have helped her win her lawsuit against Franklin Templeton.
Amy Cooper may have received a public apology and the loss of her job, but her actions still expose the prejudice that is part of America’s racist heritage – an aspect which will continue to haunt our country for some time to come.
More and more white women are becoming the target of racialized harassment across America. From Stacy Talbert filming herself on the verge of tears at McDonald’s because she believed she was being mistreated due to her identity as a cop to Sarah Page yelling at a Black pastor for watering her flowers, these entitled white women demonstrate that they have little power to alter this system. But many Americans are standing up and saying no – now more than ever before!
2. Stacy Talbert
Stacy Talbert, a Georgia police officer, posted an emotional video to her Facebook page Monday morning after being asked to wait for her breakfast order at McDonald’s. In it she wept as she explained that McDonald’s employees may have tampered with her meal in some way or another.
Social media users have praised her for sharing the video and encouraged her to keep fighting for equality. Others pointed to the backlash against police officers that has emerged since the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd (two Black men killed by law enforcement) and Rayshard Brooks (another Black man also tragically taken away by police).
On Monday, “Ann” – a conservative Trump supporter – shared the clip and it quickly went viral. Talbert had been a police officer for 15 years and works at McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, according to Storyful.
Her complaint about waiting for her McMuffin has caused division on social media platforms. Some users wrote that she is an entitled white woman who should have thick skin; other users maintained that she should have been treated better.
One commenter suggested Talbert was the victim of racism. She compared her situation to how black people are constantly harassed and bullied by police, noting she cried more when asked to wait for her McMuffin than when Black people have been killed by police.
Another person questioned why Talbert would go to McDonald’s, suggesting the restaurant is an insufficient option for those struggling to pay for meals. Other comments implied Talbert was acting out of frustration.
Finally, some people pointed out that she was mistaken in recording the video in the first place. It wasn’t a documentary of her interactions with McDonald’s workers but rather an emotional plea for help from other police officers who are experiencing harassment and intimidation due to racial profiling at work.
3. Stacey Dillard
Stacy Dillard is a saxophonist who has collaborated with many renowned jazz musicians, such as Cyrus Chestnut, Eric Revis, Winard Harper and Wycliffe Gordon. Based in New York City, Stacy has released four albums as a leader and over forty as a sideman.
Dillard was born and raised in Muskegon Heights, Michigan where he developed an interest in playing the saxophone at a late age. While attending Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio he studied under Dr. William Denza, Jim Smith, and Chris Berg; becoming quickly immersed in both local jazz scene as well as meeting Wynton Marsalis through chance encounters.
He has since led his own trios and been featured in various ensembles such as the Mingus Big Band. His bands cPhyve and cPhour were formed, and recently he formed The Other Side – an r&b/funk/hip-hop collective.
Stacy Dillard has earned a reputation as an intelligent and hard-edged jazz artist. His mastery of the saxophone, approachability and warm demeanor have made him one of New York jazz’s most beloved and esteemed players.
After college, he moved to New York City and has performed with some of jazz’s premier musicians such as Winard Harper, Cindy Blackmon, Lenny White, Norman Simmons, Frank Lacy, Wycliffe Gordon, Eric Reed, Roy Hargrove and the Mingus Big Band. Additionally he has worked in multiple genres while being an esteemed educator for over ten years.
His latest CD, Criss Cross, was produced by an accomplished team of New York producers and features a talented quintet that includes Orrin Evans on piano, Craig Magnano on guitar, Ryan Berg on bass and Jeremy “Bean” Clemons on drums. This group plays original material that’s packed with ideas, precision and energy – reinforcing Dillard’s growing reputation as one to watch out for.
The saxophonist, who has collaborated with many jazz greats, emphasizes the importance of confidence in one’s own sound. This confidence can be fostered through self-investigation and dedication to work and honing skills and talents. Furthermore, having a support network of friends and fellow musicians is invaluable when trying to establish one’s reputation in this competitive industry.
4. Stacy Talbert
The term “Karen” has become a ubiquitous shorthand for white women who behave in an entitled manner, and its popularity among viral videos only continues to grow. These powerful clips have taken on an entirely new life and become vehicles for highlighting important social issues such as racism, police brutality and Black Lives Matter activism.
Following Breonna Taylor’s passing and other incidents involving police officers and Black communities, “Karen” has become a way to criticize white women who are behaving badly. While some have objected to its use, others have pointed out how beneficial these terms can be in highlighting systemic problems within our society.
Concerning Stacy Talbert’s video recording of an overnight shift, she told NBC that she did so out of frustration with McDonald’s workers who kept her waiting and holding back her breakfast order.
A now-deleted Twitter user who identified herself as a conservative Trump supporter posted the video, which has been viewed 13.4 million times and retweeted thousands of times. Numerous national news organizations have also commented on the controversy.
Many users have questioned whether Talbert is actually an officer or simply pretending to be one. They also pondered if she has any job security at McDonald’s Restaurant, which has a history of discriminating against people of color. Gary and Jill Stanberry – local McDonald’s franchise owners – released statements saying they have been in contact with Talbert but cannot confirm her employment status or deny it.
Many have pondered how a police officer could become so distressed about an Egg McMuffin that she’s crying over it, given the racial tensions between police officers and their communities. A Rolling Stone writer labeled Talbert’s tweet as an act of racism.
Some have questioned if Talbert should even carry a gun, given the racial bias she claims to be aware of at the restaurant. She has also come under fire for her emotional response to the McMuffin delay and fear that someone would tamper with her food. Yet she has received support from those on social media who shared her comments, encouraging her to remain strong amid tensions between police and Black communities in America.
