Golfcart Gail, Cornerstone Caroline, and BBQ Beckys have become the go-to way of discussing the stories of uncomfortable white folks who decide that the presence of a black person is freaking them out enough for them to call the authorities. The New York Times is highlighting a satirical infomercial starring comedian and actor Niecy Nash, offering a solution to all of those distressed white people—a new alternative hotline to call, 1-844-WYT-FEAR.
You’re scared.
You’re white.
But with cell phone cameras and social media, calling 911 on your black or brown neighbors just isn’t what it used to be. Hi, I’m Niecy Nash, actress, inventor, and advocate for not calling 911 black people for no goddamn reason. I’d like to introduce you to a radical new product, that will save you all the headaches of being filmed, and outed, for being a racist douche.
This is a real working hotline, and the New York Times is also offering other ways for black people to pass on their stories of neighborly profiling.
Has someone called the cops on you when you were doing nothing wrong? Email your story or video to The New York Times Opinion Video team at 844WYTFEAR@nytimes.com.
Get on it!