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About 13 years ago in Central Park, I was stopped and frisked by the police while on a morning run. They had me up against a tree, claiming that I looked like I was “running from something.” The white officers said that “I didn’t look like a runner.” #WhenTheySeeUs
I began explaining myself, nervous, watching as people ran past me...wondering. Knew that my words, visibility, and “nice” running clothes might not save me. Eventually they let me go. This was all before folks pulled out their phones and taped. #WhenTheySeeUs
3 years ago, I shared this story with President @BarackObama and folks in civil rights, elected leaders, and law enforcement at the White House. The head of the FOP said that all my talk of racial profiling was “new to him.” #WhenTheySeeUs
@BarackObama Last weekend, I put on a tux to go to the #WHCD. An older white couple pointed at me, handed me their tickets, and asked me to take them to their table. #WhenTheySeeUs
@BarackObama In both of those moments and so many times in my life, the space between who I am and who I get to be is determined by perception and power. Too often there isn’t space to be anything else, to be fully seen. #WhenTheySeeUs
@BarackObama Telling our stories helps to create a more human and less hostile world - a world where we can be anything and don’t need to be in any box. I’m grateful for @ava’s vision and power – and for telling this story of Central Park 5. #TellBlackStories #WhenTheySeeUs
