My neighbor is an elderly white racist woman who calls me and my family the N-word to other neighbors, ?

Question

what can I do?

-Only black family on this block.

-I am moving.

-But, now that I have informed my landlady who is good friends with this woman, she has been harassing me to show the apartment before moving out after I gave her a 30-day notice (she refuse to give me a lease).

-She has called me names, called the police and threatened me in front of other neighbors.

-Other neighbors (who happen to be from other countries feel the way I do and commend me for my move) and also feel she makes racist remarks about all of us.

-I fear for my safety until I can move into my new place.

-This is a middle class Staten Island,NY neighborhood.

Answer 1

Oh get over yourself. You're about to move, and the only thing holding you back is a racist old white lady.

Answer 2

Ok - I'm not going to mince words here.  When the elderly woman was growing up and a young woman, "the N word"  (just discovered that the full word gets censored!) was the word used to describe black people.  It wasn't meant as an insult (mostly) - it was nothing more or less than a word.  

My grandmother called all black people ******* - including my godfather (who is Australian Aboriginal), and several other black friends who were much the same age as her.  In fact, these people of the same age as her also referred to themselves and other black people as *******.  Just as they referred to Chinese as chinks and Japanese as j**s.  It was merely a reflection of the words used when they grew up.

You know - there is another lady on this board asking why she's suddenly African American rather than black.  It all comes with how society changes and what was OK for one generation is not OK for another.

The problem sounds like it's your landlady, rather than the elderly neighbour!  If you move, can the landlady charge more rent for the next tenant?  I bet that's the reason - she's after the extra money.  Pity - but some people are like that.

Just because of your colour, people are not out to discriminate against you.  SOmetimes they are just mean, nasty buggers who will treat everybody like that.  Don't take it personally.  Explain to your children that not everybody is like that.  Don't call it discrimination - just call it mean and nasty.

Answer 3

I am sorry that you have to put up with such an ignorant person.  There has to be some place that you can report her for her behavior.  That is clearly abuse and discrimination.  I would probably call the police and just let them know what is going on so it is on record with them.  Also keep a journal of times and dates of things that are said and/or done in case she tries to pull anything.  And if she ever leaves a negative voice message on your phone or machine.  Keep it you never know when you'll need it.  

Answer 4

Get hold of the housing authority in our area and file a formal complaint against this woman. What this woman is doing is hateful and is uncalled for and just might be illegal. Check with your local police.

Answer 5

your black if anything she should be scared of you....

Answer 6

As for the elderly racist, I wouldn't try to change her at all. If the landlady, I'd nail her butt to the wall if what you say is true.

Answer 7

I feel so bad that you have to go through this. No one should be able to force you from your home.

But why do you fear for your safety? What can an elderly woman do to harm you or is she a senile nut? If so, you can probably file a restraining order. Why would she call the police on you?

Maybe you can file a civil suit and a restraining order against her. No one deserves to be harrassed for no reason. If you really must leave, I would go as far as another borough. Staten Island is probably one of the worst places in NYC to live as far as prejudice and racism is concerned.

Answer 8

Call the police when necessary.

Answer 9

why should you fear for your safety when this is an elderly woman?

(genuine question)