Racist Woman Tracks & Calls Police On Black Man Babysitting Two White Children

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There’s a pretty famous saying about assumptions. But sometimes, assuming something can do more than make you look silly, it can also be dangerous.

Yet, sadly, it was racism and misconceptions that led a woman to call the police on a black babysitter in Georgia for no reason.

A surprising encounter

Corey Lewis was babysitting David Parker and Dana Mango one afternoon in Marietta, Georgia when he decided to take the six-year-old boy and his sister to Subway at the local Walmart for lunch. Lewis knew them through his youth mentorship program, which the 27-year-old founded and runs.

As they finished, an unidentified woman approached the car and asked if the children were okay, according to Lewis.

I was surprised and answered: why wouldn’t they be? Lewis told BuzzFeed News. She said that sounded weird, and I thought, they’re fine.

What seemed odd to the woman? The fact that Lewis is black and the children are white. From there, she couldn’t let go. She left, drove around the parking lot in her car, then returned, according to Lewis.

She then asked if the little girl could get out of the car so she could ask her if she knew who I was, he continued. And I said no and she got mad and threatened to take my license plate off and call the cops. I said OK and she left.

A frightening turn

When the kids were done eating, Lewis made sure they were both safe in the car and went to get some gas. It was then that he realized that the woman was following them in her car. He took out his phone and started recording the meeting.

All because I have two kids in the backseat who don’t look like me. It’s crazy, he said in the video. It’s 2018 and that’s what I have to deal with. I can’t date two kids who don’t look like me without it being weird.

Lewis was about to take the children home when the woman continued to follow them, so he decided to go home instead. It was closer, plus her mom was home. When he arrived and stopped, he took out his phone again and recorded a second video.

She also turned into my street and then kind of stopped near the cul-de-sac and then, a few minutes later, the policeman showed up and started asking me questions, Lewis told BuzzFeedNews.

In the video, you can hear the approaching policeman asking Lewis what’s going on.

I am followed and harassed; that’s what happens, Lewis said. I heard, replied the officer, laughing. He then questioned the children and everyone continued on their way. However, the incident could have been much worse.

Facing the consequences

Afterwards, the kids had a lot of questions and the parents were shocked that it happened in the first place.

We never thought we’d have to prep them for a traffic stop or being pulled out of a car by cops when we weren’t there, the father, Parker, told BuzzFeed News. My wife kept thinking it was a prank. It’s hard to understand what would motivate anyone to do that, he continued.

According to Lewis and the family, they are still trying to figure out who the woman was because the kids want her to know what a standing Lewis community man really is.

My son wants her to know how much fun he has with Mr. Lewis and what a great guy he is. The two kids also want to ask her why she thought it was weird that a dark-skinned person was with someone with peachy skin. Even superficially, they knew what was going on and they want to know why.

As for Lewis, he is sad but tries to see the positive side of things.

I work with white kids every day, and even though you always hear about this stuff, it’s still so demoralizing when it happens to you, Lewis added. I guess the good part is that it highlights an issue that we need to keep talking about.

Discard preconceived ideas

While it’s always important to try to help if a child seems distressed or if something is wrong with their situation, there was no reason in this specific circumstance for this woman to intervene. In fact, his actions might have caused more danger than good.

It’s a reminder that we should all try to check preconceived notions and not make snap judgments about people or situations without really knowing what’s going on.

People always experience things we can’t see, and just because someone is looking at you in one direction doesn’t mean they’re the one inside.

Instead, educate yourself, talk about these issues, and share stories like these. The only way things will get better is to be transparent and share the messages behind the stories as we all work towards a more unified future for all.

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