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African American Copes family told to leave Lindenhurst home as 'you don't belong here' | African American Copes family told to leave Lindenhurst home as 'you don't belong here' |
(7 months later) | |
Police in New York are investigating an alleged hate crime after an African American family received an anonymous note asking them to leave the town where they live. | Police in New York are investigating an alleged hate crime after an African American family received an anonymous note asking them to leave the town where they live. |
The Copes were asked to leave Lindenhurst on Long Island, which the letter claims is “84 per cent white”. | The Copes were asked to leave Lindenhurst on Long Island, which the letter claims is “84 per cent white”. |
“Attn: African-American family,” the note written in capital letters says. “This is coming from Lindenhurst community. | “Attn: African-American family,” the note written in capital letters says. “This is coming from Lindenhurst community. |
“You don’t belong here. Please leave Lindenhurst as soon as you can. It will be better for all of us. Find the town where there are more people like you.” | “You don’t belong here. Please leave Lindenhurst as soon as you can. It will be better for all of us. Find the town where there are more people like you.” |
The message ends with a bizarre apology: “Sorry if this is rude, but it’s the truth.” | |
Darcell Copes, who lives with her three adult children and five grandchildren, called the writer of the letter a “coward” but said she would pray for the person. | Darcell Copes, who lives with her three adult children and five grandchildren, called the writer of the letter a “coward” but said she would pray for the person. |
"I went from being fearful, protecting my family, to being totally confused, and wanted to know who and why," she told NBC 4 New York on Friday. | "I went from being fearful, protecting my family, to being totally confused, and wanted to know who and why," she told NBC 4 New York on Friday. |
"Today, it becomes even deeper: is it someone in the school district, is it the guy at the corner store, is it my neighbour down the street? Where?" | |
Ronica Copes, Ms Copes’ daughter posted the letter on Facebook, where it has been shared more than 1,400 times. | Ronica Copes, Ms Copes’ daughter posted the letter on Facebook, where it has been shared more than 1,400 times. |
She wrote: “Sooooo, I'm checking my mail and when I come across this I can't help but laugh...wait, it's not funny though. Where they do that at? Oh yeah Lindenhurst. Unbelievable but then it's not...our daily reality, I've just never seen it in this form.” | |
The Copes, who have lived in Lindenhurst for two years, said the community had been supportive after the letter, but it demonstrates the racism still experienced by many in small-town America. | The Copes, who have lived in Lindenhurst for two years, said the community had been supportive after the letter, but it demonstrates the racism still experienced by many in small-town America. |
Officials from the town condemned the “racist, hateful” views in the note. | Officials from the town condemned the “racist, hateful” views in the note. |
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