August 3rd 2023.
Anthony Gibson enjoys fishing at a pond in his neighborhood in Newnan, Georgia. However, not everyone in the neighborhood appreciates him fishing in his own neighborhood pond. That is why Gibson decided to document his experiences every time a white person bothered him as he was peacefully fishing.
On July 11, Gibson was with two Black female friends fishing when a white woman, Tanya Petty, came up to the group and informed Gibson that the pond is for “residents only”. Petty also threatened to write down his license plate number and report him to the neighborhood authorities. By the end of that day’s fishing trip, Gibson had been approached four times by white residents questioning his right to fish there.
Gibson later found out that Petty had been fired from her job at Sea Glass Therapy, an emotional wellness center, as a result of her actions towards him. He spoke to NBC News about it, saying that he simply wanted to document what happens when you’re Black and people think you don’t belong in a particular space. Some of Gibson’s neighbors now want him to help get Petty her old job back. He refused, saying that Petty still hadn’t apologized to him.
Gibson started recording videos in 2022, and he has shared that other Black residents of the Springwater Plantation have told him that they have also faced their own forms of harassment. Unfortunately, all of the incidents have taken a toll on Gibson and dulled his desire to go out to the lake and fish. He explained: “I’m not afraid of anybody. But do I want to get out of this house and go fishing and do any of that stuff around here anymore? Hell to the no.”
The president of the board of directors of Springwater Plantation, Thomas Drolet, has commented on the dynamics of the neighborhood, saying that although it is racially diverse, there are elements of racism in how some of the residents view other residents. He also stressed that the matter is something that they need to handle internally.
It is clear that this incident has left a lasting impact on the community. Anthony Gibson’s story highlights the way in which racism still affects people of color in the present day. His efforts to document his experiences serve as a reminder of the importance of standing up against racism and other forms of injustice.
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