Hi Heidi. Thanks for your note.

We definitely do not know that Susan was harassing the neighbors because they are Black. (I have not been in touch with Susan since the incident.) My initial reaction was that it may have everything to do with what she expects as a neighbor with her property lines and nothing to do with the color of anyone's skin.

But what I have heard from the comments here, mostly from Black readers, is that they feel that White people infringe on them constantly and question their rights and freedoms a lot.

So I am trying to sort this out in my mind.

I'm not sure about the assault claim but if you go to thecut.com (NY Magazine) and search Montclair, you will find an in-depth story, which prompted me to write mine.

Best, Alice