Summer 2018 has already given us a run of viral moments that put race, policing and public behavior in the spotlight. Here is a quick recap of three that had everyone talking.
BBQ Becky
In April, a woman named Jennifer was filmed calling police on a group of Black people who were grilling at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California. The video spread quickly and she became known online as BBQ Becky.
Permit Patty
This month, a video from San Francisco showed a woman threatening to call police on a young girl selling bottled water. The clip went viral and the woman was dubbed Permit Patty.
Roseanne Barr
In May, ABC canceled Roseanne Barr’s revival after a tweet she posted about former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett drew widespread criticism. Barr publicly apologized, writing, “I should have known better.”
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Why it matters
Each moment spread through memes, video clips and commentary, and each pushed a bigger conversation about everyday bias and when calling the police is truly necessary. Whatever side of the timeline you are on, Baller fam, the takeaway is simple: 911 is for emergencies.
