Is this another case of being harassed just for being Black?
Former NFL player Kellen Winslow Jr. is the latest Black person to get the cops called on them for doing very ordinary things in neighborhoods inhabited by white people. In fact, Winslow was arrested last week while house shopping for his mother-in-law at a mobile park near San Diego, California.
Deadspin on Twitter
Kellen Winslow Jr. says he was house shopping for his mother-in-law when he was arrested on suspicion of burglary: https://t.co/HfvXs1Gbxl
According to Deadspin, Winslow was allegedly spotted entering an unoccupied residence on Thursday by a neighbor, who called police after a brief confrontation outside the home. (You know, a brother cant be in the neighborhood looking to buy a home. If hes Black with money hes got to be an unsavory character. Or hes just a thief planning to do a home invasion.)
Jason Whitlock on Twitter
Kellen Winslow Jr got arrested shopping for a trailer home for his mother-in-law. Anyone else see this story? Wildest story of the weekend.
Winslow was arrested soon after and booked on one count of first-degree burglary, per the San Diego Union-Tribune. His PR team responded
Mr. Winslow emphatically denies committing any burglary. He would have no need to burglarize or steal anything from anyone at a trailer park. He looks forward to being vindicated once this matter is fully investigated and adjudicated through the court system.
This isn’t the first time Winslow’s been caught up with the law. He’s been accused of expressing some questionable public behavior. Back in 2014, some people say they saw him masturbating in a public park in an incident that also saw him arrested for possession of synthetic marijuana and a year prior to that he was suspended for PED use, but that doesnt mean he cant afford to purchase a mobile home.
Winslow played for five different teams in 10 seasons in the NFL, made the Pro Bowl in 2007, and in 2009 signed the largest contract for a tight end in NFL history at the time, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Whats next? Are we going to start arresting Black people for being on public streets at the same time as white people? It seems that way, but these stories of white people overreacting to situations involving black people and always involving Black men arent happening at a higher rate than before. Its just that everything is filmed now and we can vividly see the racism in America as it transpires, every day on someone’s iPhone footage.
As far as this situation is concerned it’s very bizarre. Something doesn’t add up.
The crazy part is that Winslow was charged with burglary and the house he was seen by is actually owned by friends who attend church with his wife. Winslows spokesperson reportedly said the owner of the home confirmed that Winslow never entered the house and that nothing was taken.
Aaron D. Burgin on Twitter
BREAKING: Kellen Winslow II arrested in #Encinitas on suspicion of burglary.
So whats with the burglary charge?
Some reports say that Winslow was being sarcastic with the inquiring neighbor and wasnt being polite in the situation. I didn’t know there was a law that said you had to be cordial with people intruding upon your time. Hopefully, he just buys the trailer home and throws major shade at his nosy neighbor everytime they cross paths.
