I came home this evening after running an errand at approximately 10:30 PM. Upon parking my car in my garage, I was assaulted by the sound of someone driving through the complex laying on their horn. I was instantly perturbed by this since on many other occasions I have been annoyed by the same behavior but unable to identify the culprit. I swiftly stepped out of my garage and into the path of a small black SUV. I stood fast in the path of the oncoming vehicle causing it to stop at which time I proceeded to the driver’s window.

The driver of the vehicle was a middle aged professionally dressed black woman. These facts became apparent and important as she rolled down her window. At this point I asked her what she was doing driving thought the complex at this late hour leaning on her horn. She replied that she was expressing her satisfaction that some “undesirable neighbors” were in the process of moving. I asked her if she thought it was appropriate to disturb everyone’s peace in order to express herself.

At this point she became very defensive and began to berate me for disturbing her peace by stepping in front of her car and that the next time I did she might be inclined not to stop. She further commented that I must think I own the world for stepping in front of a “black woman’s” car. She then began referring to me as “you people” then topped it off by claiming that I was a racist. She then proceeded to inform me that the majority of the residents in my complex were minorities and that my Realtor should have explained that to me before I moved in and that I should probably move. Apparently she had no idea that I’ve lived here for 16 years.

So what should I take away from this?