The video that went viral earlier this summer sparked a national conversation about racial profiling and police brutality. In the video, Arizona State University Professor of English Dr. Ersula Ore is wrestled to the street by university policeman Stewart Ferrin, who's been placed on paid leave since the May 20 incident, while the ASU police conduct their own investigation.
The professor's crime? She jay-walked across College Avenue in Tempe, then refused to show identification to Ferrin and talked back to him. The confrontation escalated and got so out of hand that passers-by called 911 to report the policeman's actions—throwing Dr. Ore to the pavement and handcuffing her.
She probably didn't help her own cause by kicking the officer in the leg, which brought an assault charge, but that was after Ferrin touched Ore inappropriately and told her he would "slam" her onto his vehicle if she didn't produce identification. Again and again, the professor asked Ferrin why she had been stopped. Walking while black, perhaps? As most locals know, at any time of the day you'll see people walking across College Avenue where there's no crosswalk, especially with all the construction that forces pedestrians off the sidewalk.
Last month Dr. Ore pled guilty to resisting arrest, and today Superior Court Commissioner Julie Mata sentenced her to nine months probation, a sentence that did not change Ore's mind that her rights had been violated.
"Personally I'm wondering what about me seemed to be a threat, so much so that it warranted an officer touching me and violating me... I am hurt, upset, angry and humiliated. I deal with fears on a regularly hourly basis—they wake me up at night."
Many of Ore's university colleagues and other supporters filled the courtroom today. Long-time ASU professor Keith Miller, who's known Dr. Ore since she came to the school, said, "She's a good professional, she's a good person and she's not a danger to anyone." Ironically, Ore's area is cultural studies and communication, a class Mr. Ferrin might want to take.