Hinton B.
Google
I want to share a very painful experience I had at Anchor Tavern on Davis Island on February 15th, 2025. As an African American man new to the community, I went there hoping to build connections and enjoy the local atmosphere. Instead, I was racially profiled by a waitress who publicly accused me of skipping out on tabs and not tipping in the past — something I have never done. Despite my calm attempts to explain that she had me confused with someone else, she continued to berate me in front of other patrons.
What made this worse was how others in the bar chose to side with her, even positioning themselves in ways that felt threatening and intimidating. The humiliation of being wrongly singled out because of my race, especially in front of strangers, was deeply traumatic. I paid my tab and left quietly that day. Later, several patrons confirmed that I was not the person the waitress accused me of being.
When I called to address the issue with the owner, I was told that my concerns were “not that serious,” and that I was no longer welcome. Not once did anyone from the tavern express any concern or apology for the harm caused or the danger of being falsely accused in public. In a time when being an African American man still carries real risks when misunderstood, this was an especially frightening and isolating experience.
I share this not out of malice, but in the hope that others are treated with the fairness, dignity, and respect every person deserves — no matter their race or background.