erica garner’s grieving family requests to talk to black journalists only, white tears ensue

Erica Garner, daughter of Eric Garner, who was murdered by police three years ago for selling loose cigarettes, tragically passed away herself last week. After her father’s death, the younger Garner had become a central activist in the Black liberation movement, and her unapologetically radical way of centering Black people in her work is undisputed.

In that vein, a worker authorized to speak on her official Twitter account posted the following message to journalists looking for a statement on her death:

Out of respect to Erica please do not request comment if the journalist is not Black.

— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 30, 2017

Other users noted that, throughout her life, Erica was trolled by white journalists seeking to take advantage of her tragedy, not to mention the overwhelming numbers of white people who were okay with her father’s murder, making the family’s wariness valid:

Again, if white people didn’t infiltrate and troll like this, maybe her family wouldn’t feel the need to protect themselveshttps://t.co/PP4OKCgW9M

— Esha 🌹🌹 (@eshaLegal) December 31, 2017

Ensue the predictable white tears. Some called it reverse racism. Others claimed Black people need to get over slavery. And who could imagine why a radical Black activist wouldn’t want these people shaping her legacy?

Safe place. There are no safe places in this world little snowflake. Grow up.

— bellabac (@bellabac) December 31, 2017

And if a white person requested a white journalist???? Hypocrisy is strong here.

— Tracy Stout Powers (@vladimirsmom) December 31, 2017

Italians were slaves. Jews were slaves. How many hundreds of years need to go by before they lose their victim status?

— 8 inches in 125 Yrs (@8inches125) January 1, 2018

Meanwhile, supporters defended Erica, and her family’s wishes:

Again- requesting a safe place to grieve is not a racist attack. Seek first to understand. If you won’t try then it’s best to stay silent in this moment.

— Bridget Winningham (@porkchopvictory) December 30, 2017

One wonders, however, if Erica really wouldn’t be interested in anyone talking to white journalists after her death, she might not be interested in anyone wasting energy combating white trolls either. White people are gonna white, after all.