RACISM
Why We’re Sick and Tired of White People Making Noise Complaints
On the selective enforcement of noise complaint ordinances
Americans love calling themselves “free,” but if we’re honest, Black people never enjoyed the same freedoms as White people. The Code Noir, or “Black Codes” as they are more commonly known, forbid Black people or “slaves who belong to different masters from gathering.” If White people caught Black people socializing, they could be charged with sedition and punished violently. “So ingrained was the fear of a slave-led revolt that it outlived even the Confederacy.” Under the white gaze, no Black gathering was considered harmless unless it involved work. Even attending a funeral was deemed suspicious. And despite the 13th Amendment ending slavery, in most instances, White people continue to monitor closely and control Black gatherings, often depriving Black people of privacy.
One modern example is the frequent noise and nuisance complaints that White people make about their Black neighbors, often lying about criminal behavior they suspect to entice officers to investigate. And while there will always be White people who deny any racist intent, it’s essential to recognize that White people are not living under a rock; they know the threat police pose to Black people, and yet they…
