Peggy Tarr: Troubling

Months ago, an unpleasant incident occurred outside the Post Office on Main Street. In fact, it occurred on Nov. 8, Election Day.

A woman entered the United States Post Office at 701 Main St. to report that a man was throwing trash and a lit cigarette into the mailbox outside the building.

The postal worker, who was a woman, went outside and told the man that what he was doing was a federal offense.

The man, who was white, told the postal worker, an African American, “You cannot talk to a white man.”

As the postal worker was standing up after putting out the fire in the box, the man socked her in the jaw.

The postal worker defended herself and fought (beat) the man. An onlooker called the police. The man left. The police arrived, and a police report was made.

Evanston Police Commander Ryan Glew verified the story as related by the RoundTable.

He also said police were not able to solve the battery incident. “The suspect, a white male about six feet tall and weighing 185 pounds wearing bright clothing and a hoodie, remains unidentified.”

Police also identified a 29-year old woman, a Chicago resident, who was a witness, and said she would sign a complaint if the individual was identified.

It is not known if this man is an Evanston resident. However, the fact that the incident occurred in Evanston certainly chips away at one’s assumption/hope that Evanston is a liberal, unprejudiced community. The man’s comments and physical assault should certainly be categorized as a hate crime.

Although the month of February has several titles, in keeping with this particular column, I will only point out the following two: Black History Month and Human Relations Month.

As the news media broadcasts/reveals what bigoted/self-righteous members of the U.S. Congress and other politicians and white supremacists say and do, it is not surprising that the bigotry of common citizens is unleashed. SIGH! It is troubling. Americans can/should do better than that.