Jennifer Schulte, more infamously known as “BBQ Becky”, is a woman from Oakland, California who called the police on a group of African American people having a barbecue in April 2018. The incident, which was captured on video and went viral online, sparked accusations of racial profiling and led to Schulte becoming a symbol of everyday racism and white privilege in America.
The Viral Video
On April 29, 2018, Kenzie Smith and Onsayo Abram were setting up for a barbecue cookout at Lake Merritt in Oakland, when Jennifer Schulte approached them about their use of a charcoal grill in the park. Barbecues using charcoal or gas grills are prohibited at Lake Merritt to prevent damage to the grass. Smith and Abram contend they were in a designated barbecue zone, but Schulte insisted they were not allowed to use the type of grill they had.
In a now infamous cell phone video captured by Michelle Snider, a friend of Smith and Abram, Schulte is seen calling the police on the group and asking them to enforce the no-charcoal rule. Snider intervenes and repeatedly asks Schulte why she is calling the police on two black people barbecuing. Schulte refuses to answer and continues telling the operator there are people illegally barbecueing. Snider’s video went viral after she posted it on YouTube and Facebook, racking up millions of views.
Public Backlash and Memes
The video sparked indignation and accusations of racial profiling against Schulte. Many felt she was unnecessarily escalating the situation and calling law enforcement on Smith and Abram simply because they were black rather than any real danger or illegal activity. Snider gave Schulte the nickname “BBQ Becky” in the video, coining a term that became synonymous with white people calling the police on black people over minor issues.
As the video spread across the internet, Schulte became the subject of memes depicting her as the iconic “Karen” character – an entitled, middle-aged white woman who demands to speak to the manager or calls the police over insignificant grievances. Images and gifs of her calling 911 with witty, mocking captions were widely shared as a critique of racial bias.
Aftermath and Response
In the aftermath of the incident, Schulte claimed she only questioned the use of the grill because of environmental and safety concerns, not race. But many were skeptical of her justification given the aggressive way she interrogated Smith and Abram and refused to accept their rational explanations.
Schulte’s employer, Learning in Color, issued a statement supporting inclusion and diversity. There were calls for her to be fired, but the company said it would not rush to judgment and was investigating the matter. Learning in Color provides tutor services to students. Many parents said they did not want Schulte tutoring their children after the incident.
The barbecue blowup also led to a broader discussion about racism and racial profiling in everyday public spaces. The families said they felt targeted simply for going about a normal activity while black. Their experience was seen by many as indicative of ongoing systemic bias and discrimination that black people regularly face.
Identity
Prior to her 15 minutes of internet fame, Jennifer Schulte was not a public figure. After the incident she deactivated her social media profiles and did not make any direct public statements. Based on available information:
- Jennifer Schulte is a white woman believed to be in her 40s at the time of the 2018 barbecue incident.
- She lived in Oakland, California and worked for an education services company called In Color Learning.
- She has two sons but was reportedly separated from her husband.
- She grew up in Wayne, Pennsylvania according to a former classmate.
- Her mother is Facebook friends with people in the Oakland area.
Aside from those sparse biographical details, not much else is known about Schulte’s personal life or identity. Her name was not widely recognized prior to the viral video.
The Bigger Context
The BBQ Becky incident did not happen in isolation. It reflected broader social and political tensions concerning race and law enforcement in America.
The 911 call occurred a few weeks after two black men were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks while waiting for a friend. That incident also sparked protests over racism and led to the company closing 8000 stores for anti-bias training.
In the same month, police violence against black people was also in the spotlight with the fourth anniversary of the Ferguson riots over the police shooting of Michael Brown.
The accumulating news of white people calling authorities on black people over minor, non-threatening actions reinforced concerns over racial profiling, excessive police force, and the criminalization of African Americans simply going about everyday activities.
BBQ Becky became a symbol of this disconnect – a white woman so offended by black people having a cookout that she dialed 911, assuming law enforcement would take her side. The backfiring of that assumption was a small victory to those championing racial justice.
Impact and Analysis
The BBQ Becky case had a cultural impact and raised many issues concerning race in America:
Police Bias
Schulte’s decision to call the police on a peaceful barbecue reflected an assumption of law enforcement bias in her favor. Her confidence that officers would punish the group solely on her word highlighted concerns over racial disparities in policing.
Enforcement Inequities
If the barbecue was taking place in an undesignated area as Schulte claimed, some argued a warning or citation would have been a more appropriate response than calling the police. The aggressive escalation suggested a double standard in enforcement applied to black versus white offenders.
Racial Profiling
Many interpreted Schulte’s reaction as motivated by racial prejudice, rather than any genuine threat from the barbecue. The ease with which she characterized innocuous behavior as criminal when committed by African Americans was viewed as racist.
White Privilege
Schulte’s bold demands and sense of entitlement in the video reinforced charges of white privilege – an ingrained social advantage based on race. Critics said a black person could never act so haughtily toward police or assume their support so blindly.
Social Media Activism
Viral sharing of the video showed the power of social media to rapidly galvanize public opinion and apply social pressure. Schulte faced mass criticism for her behavior and became symbolic of modern bigotry – validating online activism around racial justice issues.
Conclusion
While the incident itself was relatively minor, BBQ Becky became an explosive racial flashpoint. It epitomized deeper problems of prejudice, discrimination, double standards and abuse of power that affect African American communities. Schulte’s callousness generated anger and resentment, but also strengthened resolve to challenge racism through media activism and public shaming. Though she hoped to quash a barbecue, her actions grilled racial injustice in America and sparked larger social change.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| April 29, 2018 | Jennifer Schulte calls police on African American barbecue at Lake Merritt park in Oakland, CA |
| April 30, 2018 | Video of the incident posted on YouTube goes viral |
| May 1, 2018 | Schulte nicknamed “BBQ Becky”, becomes subject of memes mocking her behavior |
| May 2, 2018 | Schulte’s employer issues statement supporting diversity and investigating incident |
| May 2018 | Parents criticize Schulte working with children, some withdraw from her tutoring services |
| May 2018 | Smith and Abram give interviews about racial profiling and doing normal activities while black |
| May 2018 | BBQ Becky incident compared to other news stories about white people calling police on blacks over minor issues |
| Ongoing | Schulte’s 911 call remembered as symbol of everyday racism and white privilege |