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Video of white woman calling police on black man in Central Park draws outrage

Sarah Best

1st June 2020

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Last week footage of an incident between a white woman and a black man that took place in New York went viral, and led to fierce debate about everyday racism.

Christian Cooper was walking in Central Park in a particular location known for bird watching, and where dogs are required to stay on a lead. Cooper asked a woman to put her dog back on its lead. After a number of exchanges, the dog's owner, Amy Cooper ended up calling the police and said: "I'm going to tell them there's an African American man threatening my life." In response, Christian Cooper says: "Tell them whatever you like."

The footage and article could be used as part of a discussion about racism, and also for The Media (social networks) in how footage such as this is shared and the social discourse about the nature of this confrontation.

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Sarah Best

Sarah is a passionate full-time Head of Sociology and Psychology and has worked in a variety in schools in the UK, and she is currently working in a British international school. She is keen to develop and boost the profile of both subjects.