EPISODE 062 | Why Are All These Guns Pointed at Me?
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This episode is Erica Hines’ firsthand account of what happened when the FBI, DEA, and one other unidentified law enforcement agency erroneously raided her apartment around 7:15 am on September 10, 2020.
She tells us every detail she can remember from the time she was awakened by officers yelling and banging on her door, to thinking she was going to die, to them miraculously leaving. She describes one thing she did to ensure people would believe her story after the fact. And her quick thinking did come in handy.
Now that we’re several months out from the incident, Erica is still experiencing mental health impacts. It affects her every day while she has to work toward staying calm and trying to remain untriggered while working and living in a space that makes the event replay in her head.
She says, “to this day, I hear these men yelling at me.”
So, it wasn’t easy for Erica to tell this story. But, her story is her quest for justice.
Erica found an attorney to take on the case, but explains there are so many cases like this, many go unheard and people drop them.
This begs the question - how can we stop this from happening?
Before we jump into Erica’s traumatic experience, at the beginning of the episode, we spend some time getting to know her as a human - a fellow human who brings invaluable joy and beauty into the world. We wrap up with defining justice and Erica’s hopes for the future and our society - one that right now is marred.
I implore you to listen closely, think about what Erica is saying and what it all means, and think about what happened as if it happened to you. The defeat. Helplessness. Anxiety.
Episode Highlights
Getting to know Erica and her love of geek culture
How creativity manifests in Erica’s life - especially in art, crafting, and design
How Erica became a graphic designer - her journey from being on the yearbook staff at an inner city school to figuring out she loved design in college
Growing up in Memphis, Tenn. in a loving single-parent family and building work ethic from her mom’s example
September 10, 2020: The day that changed Erica’s life - she describes what happened when three law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and DEA, erroneously descended on her apartment.
Feeling defeat and fear - how it haunts Erica to this day
Gathering evidence so people would believe her
The local precinct tried to deny the event. Once they acknowledged it, mixed messages started.
Problems with the system - how this could even happen in the first place
Far-reaching mental health impacts, including a from of PTSD diagnosed after seeking counseling and therapy
Finding an attorney and how cases like this happen all the time
Seeking justice
Using creativity in justice
Envisioning the future and a society that’s more inclusive and focused on our kids
About Erica
Erica Hines is a graphic designer and crafter known for her creativity, layout, environmental design, and ability to curate beautiful custom gifts. She’s smart, driven, and puts her heart and soul into everything she does. She loves to play video games in her spare time, is a self-described blerd, and is inspired by childhood memories of the holidays.
She grew up in Memphis, Tenn. in a single-parent home with support from both parents and an artistic ability that runs in her family. She credits her mom for her strong work ethic.
Erica currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia and is trying to heal and move on from the lasting impacts of the erroneous raid.
