Judge Belittled a Black Woman — Unaware She Had Power Over His Job
Chapter 4
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Alicia's jaw tightened imperceptibly, but she did not break character.Keep talking, Gregory, she thought.Give me everything I need."Your Honor," Alicia continued, maintaining a tone of polite deference, "I only bring up Section 4 because the fence in question was actually constructed by the previous owner in 2015, which places it outside the statute of limitations for HOA enforcement under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated—""Oh Lord, save me from Wikipedia lawyers!" Shaw interrupted loudly, throwing his hands up in mock exasperation. He looked out at the gallery, playing to his captive audience. "You people come in here, you read one paragraph on the internet, and suddenly you think you're Clarence Darrow. Let me explain something to you, Miss Grant, in words simple enough for you to understand."Shaw leaned aggressively over the bench, glaring down at her."I don't care what you think the Official Code of Georgia says. I care about the facts. The fact is, you are in violation. People from your background always seem to think the rules don't apply to them. You move into a nice, respectable neighborhood like Oakridge, and you immediately try to bring a Section 8 mentality into it. Well, not in my county, and certainly not in my courtroom."At the defense table, Thomas Vance looked slightly uncomfortable. Even for Shaw, this was pushing the envelope into blatant, actionable prejudice. But Vance said nothing, unwilling to bite the hand of the judge who regularly ruled in his favor.Alicia, however, felt a cold, hard knot of satisfaction form in her chest.There it is, she thought. The overt racism, the presumption of her economic status, the sheer, unadulterated bias—it was all happening right on the official record.She glanced out of the corner of her eye at the court reporter, a young woman named Sarah, whose fingers were flying across the stenograph machine. Every vile word tumbling out of Judge Shaw's mouth was being immortalized in black and white."Your Honor," Alicia said, her voice dropping a fraction of an octave, losing some of its artificial timidity, "are you implying that my race or my perceived background has some bearing on the legality of a property dispute?"Shaw's face flushed a deep, angry crimson. No pro se litigant ever dared to question him like this."What I am implying, Miss Grant, is that you are out of your depth, out of your league, and out of order! You will stand there, you will keep your mouth shut, and you will speak only when spoken to! Do you understand me?""I am simply trying to present my evidence, Your Honor," Alicia replied calmly."Your evidence is garbage!" Shaw bellowed, slamming his hand flat against the mahogany bench. "I am the judge here! I decide what the law is in this room, and I have had just about enough of your insolence!" He turned to Vance. "Mr. Vance, what is your motion?"