It’s clear that #BlackLivesMatter demonstrations don’t enjoy the media coverage they used to, but while most arose after a police-involved shooting was caught on video, one that always stood apart from the rest centered around a white cop allegedly using excessive force on a black teen at a pool party in McKinney, Texas.
The last time we checked in, the teen in question was announcing a $5 million lawsuit against the city, the police department, and the former cop she says injured her and violated her constitutional rights.
After the video went public, there were huge demonstrations in McKinney, and the New York Times published an op-ed exposing America’s “long history of water as a site of racial anxiety.”
A white cop, black teenagers, and a nation's long history of water as a site of racial anxiety http://t.co/2tj9X7VAcN pic.twitter.com/FvJ641uAwD
— New York Times Opinion (@nytopinion) June 10, 2015
The problem hasn’t gone away, or maybe — just maybe — race wasn’t the problem at all in the first place. CNN is reporting that a teenager in Florida turned himself in after throwing a woman into a pool after she asked the music to be turned down.
Florida teenager turned himself in to police after online video showing him dragging & throwing a woman into a pool https://t.co/swWkA3NISO pic.twitter.com/LKniQnngR0
— CNN (@CNN) May 9, 2017
That doesn’t sound like a crime, but check out the video … the teen managed to drop the woman 68-year-old woman on the concrete before dragging her to the water.
Deputies said James suffered bruises on her shoulder and leg.
Leon Balfour Joseph in front of a judge this morning. He is the boy in red seen throwing Nancy James into a pool. pic.twitter.com/XxrMVk9FmW
— Ian Margol (@IanMargol) May 9, 2017
Judge has decided to give Balfour home detention until his next court date. @WPLGLocal10 https://t.co/nmi8dNzkKH
— Ian Margol (@IanMargol) May 9, 2017
If the nation’s long history of water as a site of racial anxiety was a factor along with the loud music, it wasn’t mentioned in any of the coverage.
Mean spirited, disrespectful to older people, didn't know if she was able to swim. Other than that, nice kid.
— Christina K. (@bombonattim) May 9, 2017
“Kids are kids, no matter what. They’re going to have parties,” James said. “Just lower the music.”
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Book review underscores America's need to hold national conversation on beach privilege https://t.co/SsUjRwGPRi
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 31, 2016
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