Rule 16.
Don’t Assume You’re Safe in Your Own Home
Listen To This Rule
Narrated by Thandi Montgomery
Black people can still be targets even inside their homes.
In this country, having a place to call home should be more than a basic human right. Because our homes aren’t meant to just provide shelter. They’re also a place where we and our families should be free to let our guards down, relax and feel secure. At least, that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
The sad truth is that, increasingly, for many Black Americans, their own homes and neighborhoods are anything but safe. And with an increasing number of incidents involving
harassment
Jayla Gipson & Charles Crawford
On December 9, 2020, a Black family in Little Elm, Texas, had their two cars set on fire and their garage door vandalized with spray paint.
Breonna Taylor
Breonna Taylor was shot eight times and killed on March 13, 2020, after police broke down her apartment door during the execution of a no-knock warrant.
Botham Jean
On September 6, 2018, Botham Jean was shot and killed in his own apartment by an off-duty Dallas police officer who claimed she had entered his apartment by mistake.
Increased Anxiety and Depression
Racial unrest and police violence have significantly affected the mental health of Black Americans.
Let’s Erase this Rule
Here are some resources for you to educate yourself and inspire action.
Washington Post, Pursuing Drugs and Guns on Scant Evidence, D.C. Police Sometimes Raid Wrong Homes — Terrifying the Innocent
People, Video Shows Chicago Cops in Wrong Address Raid of Woman’s Home — and City Apologizes
Oklahoma Historical Society, Tulsa Race Massacre
History, Police Kills Two Members of the Black Panther Party
NBC News, Chicago Police Video of Anjanette Young Should Shock America. It Doesn’t Shock Chicago.
The Guardian, “A Nightmare”: Why Were a Black Couple Targeted in a Shocking Texas Police Raid?
CNN, Ex-Atlanta Officers Get Prison Time for Cover-Up in Deadly Raid
Watch “Raids: Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO)”
Watch the 1970’s PBS Documentary “Rosedale: The Way It Is”
Donate to the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Donate to the National Police Accountability Project
Donate to Campaign Zero to End Police Violence in America
Donate to the NAACP to Support Advancing the Black Agenda
Sign the Petition to Defund the Police
Sign the Petition to Demand the DOJ Investigate Police Killings and Harassment of African Americans
Join NAACP in Ending the Horrors of Police Brutality and a Criminal Justice System That Fails To Properly Hold Law Enforcement Officials Accountable
Become a Co-Sponsor of the BREATHE Act
Take Harvard’s Implicit Project Test and Find Out if You Have Any Bias Associations About Race
Find Your State Representatives and Demand Action to End Police Violence through Campaign Zero
Take a Stand. Answer the Call for Equality. Answer the Call for Civil Rights. Join the Oldest and Boldest Civil Rights Organization in the Nation. Join the NAACP.
Nextdoor, Support Your Black Neighbors and Build an Inclusive Community
Share on Your Social
Support the cause and empower others by downloading and sharing our rule cards. Be sure to tag @unwrittenrulesproject on Instagram and use the hashtag #erasetherules.
