It's a Privileged Day in the Neighborhood...

Today I yelled at a white woman who was taking 'artistic' pictures of a crime scene that happened on my street. She didn't introduce herself, say hi, or acknowledge any of the people standing around, witnessing. She snapped the tape, the cops, the crying families, then turned around to get a shot of the colorful mural on my house, and I couldn't keep my mouth shut.

I walked over to her. "Hi, do you live around here?" I asked, in my preppiest White Girl Voice. "no," she said. "Are you a journalist?" My voice got tight. My neighbors were across the street, watching us warily. "No. I take pictures of crime scenes." "For fun?" "for art." "Please don't take pictures of my house," I said. "We're trying hard to support each other and build up this neighborhood, and don't need bad outside press." She said nothing, and I went back across the street.

She paced up and down the yellow tape, searching for angles, crouching on her haunches at one point for a lower angle. Never mind the keening of the women who witnessed their loved one getting shot. Disregard for the brother who stormed out to his car and took off, fueled by grief and rage.

And then, she sauntered off. Funky tote bag and cute outfit perfectly in place, red DLR slung over her shoulder. I looked around and realized I was the only other white person for blocks. No one was going to say anything to her. I jogged around the corner and yelled. "Hey MAGGIE!" She turned around, surprised. "Do you have a website? Are you going to put these pictures on Instagram?"

Admittedly, I didn't give her a chance to reply. It finally clicked. "Who do you think you are to just drop in and capture other people's pain? That boy was someone's family, and it was so rude and gross for you to barge in and make it your art project." She stammered, and I ignored her. "Check your f*cking privilege, man."

Dear ex-neighbors of OTR: I'm sorry for all the times I didn't get it. I'm trying to do better. Hoping we can all do better and keep taking care of each other. Fellow artists, remember your context.