Nasty Neighbors

I have lived in the same house for over 8 years. In those 8 years I have never had a problem with my neighbors. In fact, I considered them very good friends. Although when I first moved in, the woman next door wasn't very friendly. It took a good four years before she really warmed up to me. I guess I ignored the signs at first. I didn't want to believe that I lived next to someone who was prejudice. But after last night, what wasn't clear before became so vivid. After 8 years of dealing with this woman, she finally showed her true colors.

I have done favors for this women over the past 8 years and even invited her over for every major holiday. I tolerated her gossip about other neighbors, which I now regret. Most of her gossip was about the other "white" families, so I didn't think she was prejudice just noisy. She really didn't bother me, in fact she was generous to me. She gave me things that she bought and later decided she didn't want. She is a bit of a shopaholic. I would ask her why she didn't return it back to the store, she would say that it was embarrassing. So I ended up with brand new clothes and shoes every season.

Everything seemed all right until another woman moved in two doors down from us. As usual I was the first to welcome her and invited her to my home. Although I had nothing in common with this woman, I befriended her and introduced her to the other neighbors. I invited her to every cook out or party I had. I even had her over for all the holidays since she told me she was alone.

Ironically, my next door neighbors didn't seem to like her at first. But when the Hispanic family moved in, all heck broke loose. The first thing out of the single woman's mouth was "I wish the Black family who looked at the house moved in because at least they speak English." My neighbor of 8 years said "There goes the neighborhood, I guess it's time to move."

I tried to ignore these comments, I chalked it up to their ignorance. But last night was the straw that broke the camels back. Since the weather was warm all the children on the block were playing outside. There are about 10 kids on the block, 2 Caucasian, 4 Hispanics, and 4 African Americans. They all get along and don't have issues about race or ethnicity.

All 10 children were playing from one end of the block to the other. Their favorite past time is tag and hide and go seek. As the children were running up and down the block, the two women were sitting on the porch yelling at them. Saying things like "you dirty children get away from my property" and "look at those muddy children". As if that wasn't bad enough, they threatened to call the police on them.

Why would two old women in their 60's be bothering children? I don't know. The kids have played up and down on the block for years. In fact last summer, the women who didn't associated with each other sat on their own porches and minded the children. Sometimes giving them treats or just talking to them. What changed???

Last summer there were 2 bi racial children, 2 Caucasian and 4 African Americans. Could it be that the addition of 4 Hispanic children upset their balance? The 2 bi racial children moved out and 2 Hispanic children moved in. The other 2 Hispanic children have lived here for 8 years but were just recently allowed to play with the other children. My home has always been the "hang out house". All children are welcome and I am the one parent who keeps an eye on them at all times.

Now being of African descent, I wonder what they really think of me and my cjildren. I guess you never really now someone until they show their true colors. I think the reason they are friends now reminds me of the old saying about "birds of a feather flock together".