Woman Who Called Police on BBQ Sparks Outrage - Outdoor Cabinets

The story of a white woman who called the police to report a group of black people barbecuing in a park in Oakland, California has sparked widespread outrage and accusations of racism. The incident, which occurred on April 29, 2018, highlights issues of racial profiling and bias.

Background of the Incident

On April 29, a white woman called the police to complain about a group of black people who were barbecuing with a charcoal grill in an area of Lake Merritt Park in Oakland. Based on videos of the incident, the group appeared to be peacefully setting up for a cookout.

The woman first asked the group to leave, citing environmental concerns from the charcoal grill smoke. When they refused, she called the police to report their presence as an illegal activity. Responding officers spoke to the group about barbecuing requirements in the park but did not issue any citations.

Videos show the woman acting aggressively as she argues with the group, even threatening to call the police to have them removed. Members of the group accuse her of racial profiling and acting rudely without cause.

Public Reaction

Once video footage of the confrontation went viral online, it provoked a strong public response criticizing the white woman’s actions as biased and unfair:

Many pointed out the double standard of calling the police on black people enjoying a peaceful activity in a public space.
The woman was accused of racial profiling by assuming the group was doing something illegal based on their race.
Critics noted the long history of black people being subject to unfair policing and white people weaponizing law enforcement against them.
Some labeled it an example of “BBQ Becky,” referring to white women entitled interfering in the lives of black people.
Many saw it as just the latest incidence of “living while black” leading to harassment.
The woman was denounced for embodying white privilege and entitlement.

Overall, thousands of people weighed in on social media to express outrage over the incident as both biased and unjustified.

The Woman’s Defense

The woman who called 911, whose name has not been released, defended her actions in statements after the story went viral:

She stated she contacted police out of concern for the environment and protecting the area around Lake Merritt, not based on race.
She said charcoal grills were not allowed in that area of the park and she was simply reporting what she believed was an illegal activity.
She denied acting aggressively or rudely toward the group during the encounter.
She rejected accusations that she was racially profiling, claiming she would have treated any group the same regardless of race.

Despite her explanations, the woman’s actions continued to draw criticism from those who saw racial bias as the clear motive for calling law enforcement.

BBQing While Black

For many observers, the Lake Merritt incident represents just one example in a much larger phenomenon sometimes referred to as “BBQing while black.”

This refers to black people coming under suspicion, criticism, or police attention for simply having cookouts in public spaces. Other similar incidents around the country include:

In April 2018, police were called on a black family barbecuing in a park in Oakland, California even though they were legally using a charcoal grill in a designated area.
In May 2018, a white woman called police about a black family setting up for a cookout on the lawn of UC Berkeley, claiming it was illegal despite no regulations against it.
In July 2018, a black man was questioned by police for over an hour for grilling in a park in San Francisco.
In May 2020, a viral video showed a white woman calling police about a black man who asked her to leash her dog in Central Park, when he was just BBQing nearby.

These cases highlight racially motivated harassment and frivolous use of police to interfere with innocuous activities. The aggressive questioning of normal community gatherings seems to disproportionately target minority groups as not belonging.

Racism and Bias in Police Calls

The Lake Merritt BBQ incident ties into larger issues of bias and unfair policing practices toward African Americans and people of color:

Racial Profiling: Black people are often profiled as criminal or suspicious, leading to 911 calls against them for everyday activities.
Weaponizing Police: White civilians have a long history of calling police to unjustly harass black people or force them from public spaces.
Discriminatory Enforcement: Law enforcement often selectively enforces minor infractions more harshly against minorities.
False Reporting: White individuals make erroneous or exaggerated reports portraying black people as threats.
Unnecessary Police Presence: Police frequently question or confront black people without cause or provocation when called.
Assuming Criminality: People of color are presumed to be engaging in illegal behavior without evidence.
Racial Coded Language: Phrases like “they don’t belong here” indicate minorities are viewed as not belonging or unwelcome in public spaces.

These systemic issues contribute to the criminalization, intimidation, and harassment of African Americans attempting to use public facilities or conduct everyday activities.

Impact on Black Communities

Frequent police calls against African Americans for minor issues can have detrimental impacts on black communities:

Stress and Anxiety: Being constantly singled out and questioned by police causes lasting stress, anxiety, and fear.
Community Division: It can breed resentment and erode community relations.
Alienation: Black people may feel unwelcome and excluded from fully participating in public life.
Mistrust: Frivolous calls erode trust in law enforcement and institutions meant to serve the community.
Normalization: Overpolicing makes harassment and suspicion seem normal to the black community.
Trauma: Repeated incidents can be re-traumatizing and trigger memories of past violence or discrimination.
Public Safety: Unnecessary police presence can actually escalate situations and make them less safe.

The collective effect is that African Americans face limits on their freedoms in public spaces, undermining both safety and equal treatment.

Case Study: Permit Patty

One viral video case illustrating the issues surrounding frivolous police calls against African Americans is the “Permit Patty” incident in San Francisco in June 2018:

A white woman named Alison Ettel was shown calling 911 to report an 8-year-old black girl selling water on the sidewalk without a permit.
The video showed Ettel ducking behind a wall to avoid being filmed while making the call.
The girl was selling water bottles to raise money for a trip to Disneyland.
Selling bottled water without a permit is only a citation offense in San Francisco, not a crime.
Ettel claimed she was only pretending to call 911, but the video made her appear to be covertly exaggerating an extremely minor infraction.
The video ignited uproar over racial bias and the criminalization of trivial activities when committed by black citizens.

Ettel faced backlash and boycotts after the video went viral for wasting law enforcement resources. But her case further highlighted the frequent misuse of 911 against people of color.

Looking to the Future

While some defend the woman’s right to call police over a potential park violation, the Lake Merritt cookout confrontation has sparked broader discussions on addressing systemic racism and racial biases:

It highlighted the need for improved community relations, diversity training, and addressing implicit prejudice.
Some cities are considering fines for racially motivated and frivolous 911 calls to prevent abuse.
There are calls for finding alternatives to involving police in petty matters and de-escalating situations.
It emphasized the importance of bystander intervention to defuse racial profiling incidents.

Many hope this incident will increase awareness and galvanize efforts toward reform. While the problems are complex, individuals and communities can take steps to reduce implicit biases, improve interracial communication, build trust in law enforcement, and foster openness, diversity and inclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Lake Merritt BBQ Incident

The viral video has raised many questions about this event, law enforcement, and race. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:

Was the woman’s call to police justified?

Opinion differs on whether her call was justified. She said it was based on enforcing park regulations on charcoal grills. Critics say it was racially motivated harassment of a harmless gathering. The facts indicate it was an unnecessary police call for a minor violation.

Were the people barbecuing illegally?

While charcoal grills are prohibited in that area of the park, it is a minor infraction equivalent to a parking ticket. The group was otherwise behaving lawfully, so calling police was widely seen as an overreaction.

Did the police act appropriately?

The responding officers did not cite or arrest anyone, simply informed them about grill regulations. They acted reasonably given it was not a dangerous situation.

Should the woman face charges for calling 911?

The woman’s call does not appear to be a crime. However, some argue for fines or penalties for racially motivated 911 calls that waste police resources.

Could the incident have been avoided?

Better communication and conflict resolution could have prevented escalation. Also, resisting implicit biases and not overreacting to minor infractions based on race.

What does this say about race relations and policing?

It exemplifies issues of racial bias, profiling, and abuses of 911 to intimidate minorities and exclude them from public spaces over minor issues.

How can regular people help address these problems?

Individuals can examine their own biases, speak out against intolerance, promote diversity and inclusion, and take bystander action to defuse potentially problematic situations.

This incident presents opportunities for education, constructive dialogue, and strengthening communities against racism. While complex systemic issues underlie such cases, social progress on race is possible through awareness, compassion and human connection.

Conclusion

The Lake Merritt BBQ confrontation provides a vivid example of racial tensions colliding over public spaces and police involvement. But it also represents deeper injustices that provoke outcry for social change. The path forward requires grappling with difficult realities to bring people together, not divide them further apart.

Though instances like “BBQ Becky” may continue to surface, we can have hope that each one moves us toward a more just society. We all must reflect on how to disrupt patterns of bias and recognize our shared humanity. In time, the sounds of joyful gatherings and community celebration can overcome those of conflict and hate.

So in the spirit of those simply desiring to share fellowship and food in a park, may we build a world where no one lives in fear for being who they are. Let the aroma of compassion drown out the stench of suspicion, and the warmth of wisdom overcome the coldness of ignorance, so all are given their fair seat at the table. That is a future worth barbecuing for.