Driving While Black: Black Motorists Pulled Over by Police

Niecy's traffic stop on Being Mary Jane is reality for many.

Niecy's Traffic Stop Is Scary Reality for Many - On the season finale of Being Mary Jane, the issue of driving while Black has hit close to home for Mary Jane as her niece, Niecy Patterson, has a scary encounter with police officers after a traffic stop. Being pulled over by police has been a humiliating and sometimes deadly experience for Black motorists. Here is a look at some cases that have made major headlines in the past. (Photo: BET)
Rodney King - In 1991, the world watched in horror as unarmed African-American motorist Rodney King was beaten by seven Los Angeles policemen, an act that was videotaped by a stranger and released to media outlets. The police, who claimed King was resisting arrest, though the videotape did not support this, were cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by a jury, resulting in the L.A. Riots of 1992. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Kendra James - In April 2003, Kendra Jones, an unarmed 21-year-old woman, was shot to death by Portland police officer Scott McCollister, who opened fire on her as she drove off after a traffic stop. He said his body was hanging out of her car as he tried to pull her out of the vehicle. The cop said he feared for his life. McCollister was suspended for five-and-a-half months. (Photo: KOIN NEWS 6)Sean Bell - On Nov. 25, 2006, an unarmed Sean Bell was fatally gunned down and two of his friends were injured by a team of plainclothes, undercover New York City police officers in a hail of 50 bullets while leaving his bachelor party in Queens, New York. He was to be married later that day. The officers in the case were acquitted. (Photo: Pix 11 News)

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Niecy's Traffic Stop Is Scary Reality for Many - On the season finale of Being Mary Jane, the issue of driving while Black has hit close to home for Mary Jane as her niece, Niecy Patterson, has a scary encounter with police officers after a traffic stop. Being pulled over by police has been a humiliating and sometimes deadly experience for Black motorists. Here is a look at some cases that have made major headlines in the past. (Photo: BET)

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