With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
'Empire' Star Says Her Son Was Racially Profiled At USC
Taraji P. Henson and her son, Marcel (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Empire actress Taraji P. Henson says she decided not to send her son to USC after he was racially profiled on campus. Henson, who stars as Cookie Lyon in Fox's Empire told Uptown magazine that she decided to send her 20-year-old son Marcel to Howard University, a historically black school, instead of USC after a racial profiling incident. Henson said that Marcel, who was initially going to transfer to USC, was stopped by the police on campus simply because he had his hands in his pockets.
"I'm not paying $50K so I can't sleep at night wondering is this the night my son is getting racially profiled on campus," she said.
Henson said this wasn't the first time her son was profiled. She said there had been another incident where he was pulled over in Glendale and police searched his car for no apparent reason. "It was bogus because they didn't give him the ticket for what he was pulled over for," she said.
Henson previously addressed racial profiling on Twitter back in January.
Sponsored message
Racial profiling is VERY REAL!!! It has happened to me but to my son more and he is only 20!!! Something needs to be done. #SERIOUSLY
— Taraji P. Henson (@tarajiphenson) January 5, 2015
USC's Department of Public Safety Chief John Thomas said in a statement that he isn't sure which police agency stopped Marcel Henson, but that he was "deeply disturbed to read news reports about a prospective student who felt profiled on or near campus because of his race." He said he is interested in investigating the incident further and wants to talk to Henson and Marcel, L.A. Times reports.
"As someone who personally experienced racial profiling as a teenager, I have a stake in learning more about this incident and doing all I can to reach a just resolution," he said.
As for Henson, she doesn't care what you think about her decisions.
I really don't care what ppl think about what I do with MY LIFE AND ALL INVOLVED WITH ME!!!!! Give it a rest. ✌️
— Taraji P. Henson (@tarajiphenson) March 23, 2015
I mean, really. (Photo via 'Empire')
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
