Driving While Black, abbreviated as DWB, is a phrase in the contemporary American vernacular that refers to the racial profiling of black drivers. The phrase implies that a motorist may be pulled over by a police officer simply because he or she is black, and then questioned, searched, and/or charged with a trivial offense. This concept stems from a history of institutional racism in the United States, United Kingdom, and other countries.
"Driving While Black" is word play on the name of a real U.S. crime, driving while intoxicated, commonly referred to as DWI.
Read more about Driving While Black: Generalization, Examples, Criticism of The Concept, Plays On The Phrase, In Popular Culture
Famous quotes containing the words driving and/or black:
“As it grew darker, I was startled by the honking of geese flying low over the woods, like weary travellers getting in late from Southern lakes, and indulging at last in unrestrained complaint and mutual consolation. Standing at my door, I could hear the rush of their wings; when, driving toward my house, they suddenly spied my light, and with hushed clamor wheeled and settled in the pond. So I came in, and shut the door, and passed my first spring night in the woods.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Long sibilant-muscled trees
Were lifting up, the black poplars.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)