Interracial couple overwhelmed with support after racist vandalism

HOUSTON -- Ugly words found spray painted on a Brazoria County Home have been replaced with words of support for the couple who planned to move in.

Phillip and Shana Harris filled out a police report on Wednesday after their new home in Danbury was vandalized. N**** was sprayed across the garage and the letters KKK were tagged on the front walkway below what appeared to be an image of a noose.

Before ever unpacking, the Harris family was ready to leave with their 10 and 12-year-old daughters. But then something changed.

"They're bringing their kids, saying your kids can play with my kids. [They’re saying] we don't know who did it, but we'll help ya'll get to the bottom of it,” Phillip Harris said.

The family said they have been overwhelmed with support from across the rural neighborhood. They said strangers have also been reaching out to them over the phone and on Facebook.

“It feels good to cry tears of joy today that I wasn't crying because I felt hated on. I cried because people are on our side,” said Shana Harris.

Flowers, cards and other gifts were delivered to the Harris family, letting the Harris family know that they are welcome.

During filming for a KHOU follow-up story, that outpouring was seen firsthand. A couple from the community came knocking to offer a warm welcome.

"It's just heartbreaking. It’s just unfair. I don't even know. It's just so emotional that people could be so ugly,” said neighbor Jessie Smith, with tears in her eyes.

The emotions soon took over right before more neighbors came knocking.

“You have a heart. That’s what feels so good and amazing,” cried Shana Harris.

She and her husband said they also feel much better about the response they’ve received from the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office. On Wednesday, the Harris family said they were not given validation that the case was being pursued as a hate crime.

On Thursday, investigator Jerome Griffin was assigned to the case. He had the opportunity to meet with the Harris family and has launched an investigation.

He assured them and the public that this is a high-priority case. He said he is pursuing it as a hate crime.

“If you want to have an interracial relationship with somebody, that’s your decision. That’s not right for anybody else to interrupt that or change their living ways,” said Griffin.

Griffin said that he is already in the process of developing persons of interest.

According to the Brazoria County District Attorney, the racist vandalism is punishable by mandatory time in jail.

Video here. http://www.khou.com/news/Interracia...support-after-racist-vandalism-157993535.html

 

good story, thanks for posting

anyone can talk the talk, but walking the walk takes some real dedication because of the stuff that can happen. Whenever i'm out with a white girl doing anything, I become more in-tune with my surroundings and pick up on people looking. I'd want to think they weren't really paying us any mind or perhaps even be supportive, but the sad reality is that lots of people still have a problem with white women and brothas.

the UPSIDE is that when other white women see me with a white woman, it's the ultimate green light. I noticed that when traveling with one of my white female coworkers, other white women began flashing smiles at me with 'hi' written all across their faces.:smt038

 

this is just like me not sitting with my back to a door when out and about.

 

i'm just keepin it real



you always hear about hate crimes and shit

i value my health and the health of people around me, so I definitely pay attention to where I am

momma didn't raise no fool

 

Amen!

 

This happened in Houston? Hmmm. And Paniro the one time when we were casually discussing any racists or white nationalist/neo-nazi/KKK activities occurring in local areas was trying to play off like he never heard of shit like this happening in Houston. As long as fools, especially in the South, still want to fly and rep that ignorant ass Confederate flag how the hell can anyone think shit like this doesn't happen on the regular in any of the southern states?

 

by now you should know Paniro says shit just to be saying shit

you, me and everyone else here knows that racism exists, and that you gotta train your kids how to deal with it. not teaching your kids and have them get the real-world exam, then teach them what they needed to know for it afterwards, is ignorant as all hell.

 

Yeah I know he says shit just to be saying shit and it's on the same level as doing the ignorant shit that ghetto minded individuals do that he's always bitching about IMO. Don't rail against doing ignorant shit in one instance and then advocate or co-sign doing even more ignorant shit in another. That shit undercuts any legit points he tries to make when he does make them.

 

Snaps

 

Ah, that nigger word and a noose, unoriginal but classic hatred imagery.

 

As nice as it was for people to show them love and acceptance afterward. I would have still possibly NOT moved in. While some may see this as letting the hatred win, I'd feel safer knowing that I wasn't living in a place where people actually took action on their hate. Who is to say they wouldn't try to come back or get more bold the next time by catching one of my kids or wife alone to do them some harm.

Overall, it's good people were kind to them in the end. Still makes a man want to pack some heat though. :smt068

 

Great story.

 

Don't you know. The South will rise again.

 

Kind of starting to believe that may be true in some regards with some of the old ass backward things certain people with certain interests are attempting to resurrect and advocate in order to tip things in their favor in this the 21st century age of technology.....

 

Amen. It's good to see in the face of utter ignorance, the majority of their neighbors are good people and came to their defense. Gives hope. :smt023

 

Lol, you got that right. Nice lil present if they ever came back.

 

Yep, we can feel better now. :smt056

Here's video footage at the link below.

http://www.khou.com/news/Brazoria-C...idelined-by-hateful-graffiti---157701515.html

Good to hear, it's probably because of your good looks and social status.

 

i don't understand why IR couples don't use security systems in their homes when they move into neighborhoods that are racially hostile....