Putting the picture of the Chicago cop punching a protester in context

[uppityperson]

151. Not always and often not so. I used to think that, but after being stopped and harassed by a local

cop, no longer do so. He pulled up behind me when I stopped to visit an art gallery and yelled "hey, can we talk?" Of course I said sure, how are you doing sort of thing. He told me I'd pulled out too close in front of someone a while back. I apologized and asked where it was because I wanted to know where I'd done it, how I'd missed being safe. He went off on my when I didn't recognize the names of the streets. "you live here, you MUST know the street names". At which point I started yes sir, no sir, I am sorry sir, I try to be a good role model for my child sir, I am sorry sir, I will be more careful sir, I am sorry sir, etc etc etc etc and he kept yelling at me, glaring very angrily.

I thought of asking if I was under arrest, or simply walking away, but we had taser happy cops here at that time and I really didn't want to experience it. After he finally left, I went in the gallery and everyone there came over, surrounded me, asked wtf was going on as they were very concerned watching this. They said they thought of calling the police, but recognized the irony of it.

I didn't know the name of a couple streets. That was my problem. Was I cooperative? Very much so. Why did he yell at me for at least 5 minutes? Because I was uncooperatively not knowing the street names.

I was innocent of whatever the stop was for, and cooperated as best I could.

It happens and too often. I was victimized by this asshole who had a badge and a shitty attitude. Maybe his mom just died, his dog ate the couch, his kid was sick. I don't know. But he had no right to act this way. None.