A Racist Called Me "Sand N*gger" In Front Of My Children

A new wave of hate has been unleashed in America--it's more critical than ever we stand united to fight back with justice and humanity

Last Friday, I took my sons to visit my father’s grave. As you know my father recently passed. Our children were very close to him, and we’re doing our best to keep that connection alive.

En route to the cemetery a man on a motorcycle pulled up, banged on my car’s window, looked me in the eyes, and called me a “Sand N*gger.” He screamed this in front of my children—16 and 11. When I pulled out my phone to record him, he cursed me out and rode away. Well, we found him. Let’s Address This.

Countering White Supremacist Hate

First, take note—this wasn’t in some deep red part of the south. This was Villa Park, IL, just 20 minutes west of Chicago, a blue part of our country.

I have spent years confronting hatred and bigotry, both in the courtroom when a man threatened to murder me for my faith, and in the streets with racists like this man who spewed reckless slurs at us. But this moment hit differently. It wasn't just about me—it was about the painful reality of generational racism. Let me explain.

I remember the first time I heard someone call my father that particular slur. I was a child. I didn’t understand it then. But I remember the way he stood tall and didn’t let it phase him, at least not in a way I could see. Likewise, and sadly, I’ve been called that same slur too many times to count. And now, my children have been called that slur.

I will not let it go unanswered.

My deepest gratitude to Danesh (@thatdaneshguy) for using his platform to identify the individual who hurled that slur at me. Thanks to Danesh’s work and the voices of thousands who stood with me, this man’s identity is known. See short video below:

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This is not about vengeance. It’s about accountability. As I said in the video, I don’t want him to lose his job (many in the comments will disagree with me). But I’ve never been about vengeance. I’ve always been about justice. Thus, my goal is to send a clear message that such hate will not go unchecked, and that silence is not an option.

The Bigger Picture: Hate Crimes Are Rising

Sadly, what happened to me is not isolated. Hate crimes are rising—against Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Asians, Black Americans, immigrants, LGBTQ+ folks—across the board. The dehumanizing rhetoric from the highest offices in the land has fanned the flames of this violence.

And let’s be clear, the hate my sons and I experienced is but a precept of the violent and genocidal hate Black and Indigenous Americans have suffered for centuries. It is a reminder that white supremacy has always existed in this country, and each generation has an obligation to stand together to purge his cancerous ideology out of existence. This hate will not go away on its own. And we have the power to stop it.

We Must Stand Together

To the thousands of people—Black, brown, and white—who have reached out, offered love, prayers, and solidarity: thank you. Your messages have reminded me that while hate may be loud, love is stronger. And justice, though often delayed, will always have more power than bigotry.

But this is not just about me. This is about all of us. It’s about ensuring that our children don’t inherit a world where racial slurs and harassment are normalized. It’s about building a nation that finally lives up to its promise of liberty and justice for all.

If you’re reading this, I ask for two things:

1. Speak up. Never be a bystander. If you see hate, call it out. If you experience it, know that you are not alone.

2. Help me continue this work. I write daily about human rights and justice—on issues corporate media ignores. My platform, Let’s Address This, is free to all, but I rely on your support to keep it going.

Subscribe for free, or if within your means, at $6/month (a cup of coffee). No matter what, your voice matters. Together, we can make sure that the next generation doesn’t have to repeat our trauma. That our children aren’t met with slurs, but with safety. That our nation turns toward justice—not away from it.

I believe in us. Let’s build that future—together.