Narrating this story reminds me of what those poor children of color must have felt when they visited that awful Philadelphia pool.

Now, I visited with a few friends on a boat, mostly black. Upon docking, we began to walk up to the restaurant to hear a live band and buy a few drinks.

We were summarily accosted by the manager and interrogating for just stepping onto their property. Well dressed, boat owning, professionals—treated like refugees.
The woman, a haggish blond, asked if we’d arrived on a bus. A bus?! Do buses sail in Haverstraw?

That was only the beginning. She wanted to know what we wanted, why we’d come to see a band and if we did come why we came so late. When we said their website said it started at nine she then asked why we’d come only to see an hour of it.

We were disgusted with her, and the patrons that stood there with alarm at our presence and slight glee at the treatment we received. We must have tainted their haven because we were not asked if we’d like a menu, some drinks, to sit—just stares.

Needless to say, all who are concerned with rights of fellow citizens should walk with their mighty dollar and spend it elsewhere. We certainly will!

PS: I wish they would send someone to the brick beach below the railing, at low tide every now and then to clean up the garbage. One shouldn’t have to look at garbage strewn about while looking over the rail. They need to take responsibility for their waterfront.

Just my opinion