Moving is stressful, but it is also kind of exciting. You have a clean slate and fresh start to do things over, like decorating your home and getting to know your neighbors. Anisha Nixon was excited to move into a new place in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Her excitement was sullied by a mean note she found in her mailbox. The note spelled out harsh rules for living in the neighborhood and told her not to interact with anyone. As a Black single woman, she could not help but feel a bit threatened. Thankfully, since posting it on social media, many have reached out to welcome her.
At first, Anisha was eager to move into the west side of Grand Rapids. "I never really stayed on the west side before but, like, I kind of always heard, like, good things about it," she explained. Just one day after her move, something unexpected happened.
Anisha found a letter in her mailbox. "I just thought it was a normal, like, welcoming letter from one of my neighbors," she recalled. When she opened the letter, she could not believe her eyes.
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The letter was not a kind hello but a series of strict, unfriendly rules Anisha was told to follow. "It says we will call protective services, 911, 311, Section 8, if needed. We will not play any games with you on that. Remember that please," she recalled.
All of Anisha’s excitement was replaced with dread. She began to question her move. "My heart just dropped," she stated.
The rules included how to properly remove trash. It also included a harsh warning about not talking to your neighbors. "Number 7. Your neighbors want to be left alone. They are not your friends or your family,” Anisha read.
Rule No. 7 made Anisha especially sad. She is an extroverted person and was hoping to make new friends. "Just for me not to even have that opportunity, or to be told that I can't do that, that's what kind of hurt a lot," she explained.
The note also made several references to calling the authorities. "The police will be called ASAP," Anisha read. "Life is too short."
The note came in an envelope with John Ball Area Neighbors on it, so at first Anisha thought it was from the official neighborhood association. The association has since spoken out against the letter.
“It has been brought to our attention that a letter has been sent to one of our neighbors purportedly welcoming them to the neighborhood, inappropriate and anything but welcoming. It has been suggested that the letter was sent by JBAN. We can assure everyone that the letter did not come from the John Ball Area Neighbors or anyone on its behalf,” the statement sent to 13 On Your Side began.
“We will be sharing the letter with the appropriate agency to determine from where it originated. We have attempted to reach out to the neighbor to whom it was sent to let them know the letter was not sent by JBAN, and that we disavow its contents. All new neighbors are welcome to the West Side,” it concluded.
After receiving the letter, Anisha regretted her move initially. She posted the letter on social media and was overwhelmed by the support she found there. "My first initial thought was to run, to go, to leave," she explained. "But all the encouragement I got from other neighbors and all the support I've received kind of, like, makes me want to stay now."
She urges her neighbors to introduce themselves to her. "Come meet me and actually get to know the person I actually am," she asked.
