One Big Nightmare
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| Amy and Nathaniel Hodge with the letters and cards they received from well-wishers. Photo: Urban News |
By Johnnie Grant
Amy and Nathaniel Hodge moved to Asheville from Orlando, Florida several years ago, and they currently reside in the Leicester community. They made the move for several reasons, including health and well-being.
Mrs. Hodge recalls, “In 2006 my husband had quadruple heart by-pass surgery. During his hospital stay, a member of another patient’s family recommended that we move to the mountains of North Carolina, where the climate would be more conducive for my husband as he recuperated. Being reluctant about moving because of my job, I felt that anything to help my husband’s health condition would be a positive move.”
Mr. Hodge interjects with a slightly different reason for relocating
to the mountains. He explained why he felt the move would be a positive
one: “I saw how beautiful and relaxing Asheville and the mountains were
from the tourism commercials flooding the airwaves,” said Mr. Hodge. “I
figured why not check it out, and see if Asheville was the place to be. I
personally prefer a rural lifestyle to that of city living, and it
would give the kids enough space and land to play. We visited, and we
received such positive energy from family and acquaintances that we
started packing, and moved to Asheville.”
Since they made their move, that positive energy and healthful recuperation have been put to the test.
“It’s been one hellish nightmare after another,” they said, recounting
the racial incidents that have occurred since May of this year. Mr.
Hodge pointed to the “doughnuts” made by vehicle tires in the middle of
their front yard, done to an accompaniment of racial slurs and
persistent taunts, the harassment still continues. It was only when law
enforcement was called and WLOS-TV-13 aired a segment about the
harassment that the racial events slowed down, but they never fully
stopped. The family retains a constant vigil against the persistent
harassment.
As if the events of the summer weren’t enough, on September 29
trespassers were spotted in the Hodge’s backyard. They “came a little
too close for comfort,” said Mr. Hodge. The incident put the whole
family on edge, and the stress sent Mr. Hodge to the emergency room on
October 1 with chest pains and the fear of another heart attack.
Asked if they did anything to provoke this type of behavior, the Hodges
replied in unison, with sad expressions on their faces: “No! We feel
it’s because of the color of our skin.”
Since these recurring incidents, the Hodges have received overwhelming
support from community members, churches, organizations, and
well-wishers near and far. “We’ve even received a letter of support all
the way from Durban, South Africa!” stated Mrs. Hodge.
“We’ll just keep the faith, and hope every thing works out for the
better,” said Mrs. Hodge as she points to the American flag, and a sign
she placed in the family’s front yard that displays the slogan: “Proud
to Be an American – God Bless America.”
The family would like to thank Monroe Gilmour,
Coordinator – WNC Citizens for an End to Institutional Bigotry
(WNCCEIB), Sheriff Van Duncan, Buncombe County Sheriff Department,
Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council, Erwin High School, and
the many churches, neighbors, community members, and friends who have
reached out with help and support.
