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Hi we are Hindu originally from India, right now we are living in Bayonne, NJ.
My son 7 years was playing outside. and while playing he went to neighbors driveway+sidewalk
and started playing with chalk.
after some time neighbor came and started shouting using abusive words.
he was bragging/shouting "my wife has big connections, she knows all big guys in town",
He made some racist comments also. He also tried to threaten us like you don't know the rules in this country, your religion allow kids to play kids in neighbors area like that.
So, I started video tape him with my cellphone, then he started saying you can not video tape, he will send us in jail for this.
I know that my kid made a mistake , we offered them that we will clean it was just chalk mark on outside driveway floor, but seems like it was just an excuse for him to shout on us because we are Hindu/Indian.
So, my concern is if something like this happen again, if he or some body else makes racist comment on us...what we should do?
Note: we have faced racism here before also, somebody had broken our living room big glass window by throwing a stone also.
In some other incident somebody sliced our car tire. we called the cops both time, cop asked do you suspect somebody we said no, after that I don't think police investigated anything. seems like cops are also not cooperating for minorities.
Sorry to hear about the bigotry in the town I loved growing up in but it does not surprise me. I would also recommend that you get a outdoor camera and put it out facing the street. It would not surprise me if he did some acts of vandalism against you (property or car).
In some other incident somebody sliced our car tire. we called the cops both time, cop asked do you suspect somebody we said no, after that I don't think police investigated anything. seems like cops are also not cooperating for minorities.
I am also sorry to hear of your problems with that racist neighbor. Please don't assume that all Americans are that ignorant, or that intolerant.
As to the Bayonne P.D., let's just say that--in my experience--their personnel have never expended much energy in the pursuit of solving crimes. Back in the '70s, my parents' home in Bayonne was burglarized (luckily, nothing of significant value was stolen), so they summoned the police. After a cursory look-around, it was obvious that the detective was about to make a hasty departure, so my father asked, "Aren't you going to dust the window frame and some areas that were obviously disturbed for fingerprints?"
The detective replied that he could do what my father suggested, but that the compound used for fingerprint dusting was "permanent", and that all surfaces to which it was applied would be forever marred. My mother did not want her furniture to be ruined, so my parents opted to not demand a search for fingerprints.
Only years later did we learn that the detective's statement was B.S.
Every kid has a story about a grouchy neighbor. Baseballs confiscated, etc. No ball playing in front of their house, no retrieving a baseball that landed on their lawn.
The stuff of childhood.
Cops sent to minor thefts or he said, she said complaints go thru the motions and walk away. Don't expect results. They count on the mere presence to quell any neighborhood tiffs.
Ignore the grouch, the rest of the neighborhood surely knows his reputation. Typical to be warned that someone knows some local politician or cop in a shouting match.
By today's standards he might have utterred a perceived 'racist' rant, not so in days gone by. Ethnic rants were just that, rants, no one was offended by the words as much as the tone.
Unless he threatens physical violence, he is just an idiot with a big mouth and does not represent the neighborhood. Your perception is your reality but try to see this guy as just the neighborhood grouch, formerly called the village idiot.
Has your neighbor always been like this or is this the first time? If it is the first time, I would give him benefit of doubt and try to make up things. May be he is going through his own issues. Say sorry and make an extra effort to make sure it does not happen again. Anyway, that is what I would do.
Having a good relationship with the neighbor goes a long way.
If this is more systematic, then I am very sorry for you. I would definitely install a camera, put a fence around the house (so the kid does not accidentally go there), file a police complaint and even consider moving to a different place.
camera to keep an eye on things. i dont really love the public shaming of racist rants but if it continues after reasonable attempts to settle things; thats an option that would really suck for him.
The irony is that the neighbor is probably one of those guys who lambasts today's youth for "never playing outdoors and being addicted to video games" blah, blah, blah.
Bring your son and his chalk to my house. Let's see how creative he can get on my driveway!
Very often when many individuals are upset about something they say things that most people would not ordinarily say. I myself believe all speech is protected, as long as it is only speech. I don't much believe in labeling anyone a racist at most points, that becomes a racist thing then. Hoping for better times,,,
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