Former Northwestern PhD student accused of stealing his own car settles with Evanston

[matt819]

2. I got stopped last week

I got stopped heading home at about 9:30 pm.

Going speed limit - the car in front of me helped me there.

I see blue lights. Hmmm. . . he must be going after the other guy for some reason. But, no, it was me.

I'm a middle aged white guy. I knew I wasn't speeding. Everything was fine. I had nothing to fear. I don't think my heart raced even a bit.

So, the state trooper comes over, with a smile, mind you, and asked if I knew why I was stopped. I told him I didn't. Turn out a headlight was out. I wasn't expecting that since I had just had the car inspected. (BTW, has anyone else noticed that headlights just don't last very long.) He took my license and registration for whatever cops do with licenses and registrations. Came back, said he saw that I had just been inspected, and told me to replace the headlight.

Crisis over. He didn't ask to search my vehicle. He didn't scowl. He didn't shoot me.

White privilege?