Banking While Black: Almond Brewer Had Cops Called While Cashing Check

Professional basketball player Almond Brewer had the police called on him last year by his bank in Arizona when he went to cash a $3,200 check.

Brewer joins Marc Lamont Hill on “Black News Tonight” to discuss the ordeal.

Follow BNC on social media:

#BankingWhileBlack #BlackNewsTonight #MarcLamontHill

[foxfan]

"Sorry for the inconvenience." "Inconvenience"?!! The fuck?? How about the embarrassment? How about the humiliation? How about the mental trauma? How about we have the manager feel the "inconvenience" of losing their damn job!

[ianking]

Most of the times, they intentions are just mainly to humiliate the black man. Some of these people just resent the fact that some of these black people are more successful than themselves and the cops.

[jburnes]

the same thing happened to me, i went to my companies bank to cash my paycheck, and i think they thought a balck man could not earn that type of money. the teller did the exact same thing. they called my job and the lady who runs the office explained to them and even described me to a t. but still they would not cash my check. this went on about a 1/2 hour then they went and got the manager lol, what was so funny is the bank manager was my cousin, and she cussed them all out. she said cash his check and let him go on his way. later i found out the teller was fired.

[msal]

I am utterly sick of these people. Stop trying to explain stuff to them. Sue, that is all these devils understand

[litac]

I am a prior banker. All they had to do was verify the check with the owner of theaccount. Period. This man's rights as an American citizen were violated so terribly by everyone involved. He should win a civil suit against the bank.

[Katlady]

This is unacceptable. It wasn't a mistake, they profiled him so if he don't sue then he deserved that treatment plus more. Black people always find a cheek to turn for everybody but their own. That's wack! SMH

[Sunstar]

Bank employees don’t do the bare minimum to verify checks or accounts. Calling Law Enforcement is an easy option for them. Problem is casually calling Law Enforcement is a dangerous situation for innocent customers because service weapons are usually drawn on them and their life is put at risk. It’s also humiliating.

[apsvend]

Brother stop trying to explain that your a basketball player. You're trying to make them feel comfortable. That's their job to make you feel comfortable.💯✊🏾

[hlmcclain]

MY BROTHER FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THIS INSTITUTION! IT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT THESE PEOPLE 🤬

[dudewithaniphone]

"911 what is your emergency?"
"There's a black man..."
"We're on it!"

[mr.vibes]

They didn't see an athlete or entrepreneur. They saw a black man

[brothabiz-Blackbypopulardemand]

Systemic Racism at it's Worse. Banking while Black! I've experienced it too! "REPARATIONS NOW" It's Time! Repair the Damage that has been done to Black People back then and Now! Period!!!

[xman]

So in the end, they called the police on the black man, watched him get humiliated, demeaned, handcuffed, and questioned. Then they didn't give him money he was entitled to. Yep, a successful transaction for this bank. And he's proud of himself for smiling his way through the entire ordeal. SMH.

[ronadams]

This brother is the epitome of COOL. I don't have it in me to be as cool tempered as he is demonstrating. I hope he Sues this Bank for if nothing else to discourage them from doing ANYTHING like this again.

[GRIMLOCK]

Notice how they apologized to the Cops first in their statement, then put "As well as" for Mr. Brewer. to make him secondary.

[ShellL]

Please Sue. Sadly it’s the only way to affect change. They REALLY understand loosing money but have no Concept of the embarrassment & danger they put someone into by doing this to them.

[jamesbennett]

This will keep happening until you get up and sue. Stop accepting apologies and sue. We always want to forgive and accept apologies. Stop, Stop accepting apologies and sue.

[Equalforall]

This guy was killing me telling his story. It was like pulling teeth. Sue that bank

[FLAPPAGIRL]

Their form of check validation is calling the cops on Black people. Sue them for racial profiling, denying your civil rights, false 911 call/police report, arrest, detainment, etc. They assumed he stole the check. This news should have been released earlier, when it happened. The news item was cut too short, like most BNC programs. I remember I had a over $9, 000 check that I wanted to cash and the teller went to get the bank manager. I prefer direct deposit or bank wires. This injustice is what happens to law abiding, Black people. This is disgusting. The manager and the teller need to be fired. The brother is my type: handsome, ride a Harley, long hair, nice personality, etc. Not because he's an athlete. I am glad he told his story.

[bluemeanie]

Actually the person who bought the boat confirmed the check BEFORE the police arrived the bank NEVER called the police back to tell them!