We're not surprised that there's a PR firm specializing in protecting the public images of black teens wrongly targeted by cops -- we're just surprised that it's only in a satirical Funny Or Die sketch.
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The firm promises that after a black teen's all-too-likely experience with police brutality, the right photo ends up on the evening news.
"When you're murdered by the police, there is a criminal investigation. But more important is the public investigation, when your whole life is boiled down to one photo. Let's make sure it's the one of you playing frisbee," one of the pseudo PR people advises in the video, before the company's office is raided by a SWAT team.
The media often casts a negative light on black victims, a trend brought to the forefront of national conversation after the Aug. 9 shooting of unarmed black teen Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri.
During coverage of the teen's death, many outlets published a photo of an unsmiling Brown looming tall over the camera. The image sparked questions over whether a white victim would have been portrayed in such a way.
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Maybe a real-life PR firm for young black victims isn't such a bad idea. Or, you know, maybe the media could just exercise some restraint.
Before You Go
Afternoon March On Canfield Drive
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
On the afternoon of Aug. 23, protesters marched along Canfield Drive in Ferguson, where Michael Brown was shot. They passed a truck of food donations being handed to the community by Crisis Aid International, The St. Louis Police and Ferguson Mayor James Knowles.
Gift For Michael
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
A young boy blows up a balloon to add to the tribute to Michael Brown on the afternoon of Aug. 23. The tribute is on Canfield Drive, where Michael Brown was shot on Aug. 9. Children contributed balloons, toys and pieces of artwork to the tribute.
Canfield Drive Protest
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
Ferguson protesters walk by a food donation truck supplied by Crisis Aid International and distributed by the St. Louis Police on Aug. 23. Protesters continued to march onto Canfield Drive, where Michael Brown was shot on Aug. 9.
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Police Hat
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
A young boy wears a toy police hat during a protest on Canfield Drive on Aug. 23. A number of children were playing with toy police badges and hats, distributed by their parents. While they played, their parents ran a food drive supplied by members of the community.
Kids Add To Tribute For Michael Brown
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
Two children add balloons to the tribute on Canfield Drive for Michael Brown on Aug. 23. The tribute consists of a line of roses along the road up to a sign that reads "Hands Up Don't Shoot, August 9, 2014 RIP Michael." Around the signs are flowers, candles and toys.
Boy Wears Toy Police Badge On Canfield Drive
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
A young boy sports a toy police badge on Canfield Drive on August 23rd where Michael Brown was shot on August 9th. While his parents packed up the food drive, he and his friends played with the toy police hats and badges.
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At Night, Marching Continues Along W. Florrisant
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
On the evening of August 22nd, children joined the marched that circled W Florrisant in Ferguson to protest the shooting of Michael Brown on August 9th. The protesters marched until midnight. Many of the children had drawn their own signs to hold while marching with their families.
Officer Shows Kid How To Use Flashlight
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
An officer paused to show a young boy how to use his flashlight, while his parents chatted with the other officers on August 21st on W. Florissant, where many protested the murder of Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson on August 9th. The family was on their way home from the protests around 9pm.
Girl Sports "Stop Killing" T-Shirt
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
On August 21st, a young girl and her parents take a break from the protests and grab a bite at Ferguson Burger Bar on W. Florissant. They wore "stop killing," t-shirts to protest the killing of Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson on August 9th.
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Playing On A Fence On W. Florissant Ave. During Protests
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
While protesters marched on W. Florissant on August 21st, kids played on the fences surrounding a parking lot while their families marched. Many children stayed on the sidelines to play, while others marched to protest the shooting of Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson on August 9th.
Chatting With An Officer
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
On the evening of August 21st, two kids chat with an officer while their parents marched in protest of Michael Brown's Death on August 9th. Many police officers attempted to improve their relations to the community by interacting with children during the protests. This officer asks the kids their favorite subjects in school.
Young Girl Stands In Front Of Police Line
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
On August 22nd, the protesters moved from W. Florissant to S. Florissant across from the police station. They were demanding the arrest of police officer Darren Wilson who shot 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9th in Ferguson. This young girl stood with her mother on the side of the protesters while the police lined up across the street.
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Drum Circle Across From Police Station
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
On the evening of August 22nd, protesters walked to the police station to demand the arrest of officer Darren Wilson, who shot Michael Brown on August 9th in ferguson. During this protest, a dance circle began led by a young boy playing the drums. A small group began to dance and sing, "no justice, no peace, take it back, take it back, no justice, no peace, it's the remix y'all."
"Justice!"
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
This young girl held up a sign for justice across from the Ferguson police station where protesters had gathered on August 22nd to demand the arrest of officer Darren Wilson who shot 18 year old Michael Brown on August 9th.
During Protest On W. Florissant, Mother Tells Son To Put His Hands Up
Emily Kassie | Huffington Post
Children chanted, "Hands up! Don't shoot!" on August 22nd as they marched along West Florrisant Ave, near the street where Michael Brown was shot. Witnesses say Brown had his hands up before he was killed by a police officer Darren Wilson on August 9th.
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