Sonia Reed, a peer support specialist and community volunteer, is grappling with heartbreak and anger after discovering a hateful message spray-painted on the fence of her newly purchased home.
The words “No Blacks Here” were scrawled in black paint, marking an act of racist vandalism that has shaken the community.
From Overcoming Adversity to Facing Hate
Reed, who has overcome homelessness and addiction, has dedicated her life to helping others recover. Seventeen years sober, she now works with inmates at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and supports those struggling with substance abuse.
“I know that sometimes people can look at me and misjudge me,” Reed told KTVU Channel 2 News. “But once you get to know me, I… plant gardens, I go to work, I come home, I engage with my grandchildren.”
An Unwelcome Message
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office has launched an active hate crime investigation, canvassing the neighborhood and reviewing security footage for potential leads.
Meanwhile, Reed recalled past encounters suggesting racial hostility. She said that one of her neighbors had openly objected to the sale of the home, telling the seller, “You didn’t get my permission to sell this house to anybody of color.”
The hostility even extended to Reed’s vision of a white picket fence, a dream that quickly became another point of contention.
Community Outrage and Support
Cynthia Adams, President of the Oakland NAACP, condemned the racist attack.
“We can live anywhere we want to live. It doesn’t matter what race you are, it doesn’t matter what color you are,” Adams said.
Local authorities have assured Reed that they are committed to ensuring her safety and bringing those responsible to justice.
As Reed moves forward, she remains determined to thrive despite the hate, continuing her work and embracing the home she fought so hard to own.
