On April 20 in Midland, Michigan, PJ Weaver was doing yard work when 82-year-old neighbor Donald Deibert walked over and opened with: “You know how us white people feel about you Black people when your lawn is not cut.” Weaver looked at his lawn. His lawn was green. He was standing on it maintaining it. Deibert explained that Black people moving into neighborhoods reinforces stereotypes about cities going downhill. He said this while standing on the man’s lawn. While the man was on it. With a rake.
Weaver’s phone died before the end, but not before Deibert’s finale: “We don’t want you here.” The community rallied. Lawn care owner Jacob Lewis offered free service for the season. Weaver accepted and launched a youth nonprofit called The Generation of Stars. Deibert has not apologized. The lawn is still green.