In the latest episode of “Who’s Harassing Black Children,” we meet a woman now known as Naptime Nina, reminiscent of Permit Patty, who recently gained notoriety for attempting to call the authorities on a black child selling bottled water. This time, however, Nina is actually Theresa Lane, an employee of Harvard University. Or at least she was — her online presence was mysteriously wiped clean overnight, with Harvard remaining silent about her unacceptable actions.
Let’s unpack this alarming incident. Over the weekend, mother Mia Johnson was enjoying time outdoors with her daughter, who was happily creating art with sidewalk chalk. That peaceful scene was disrupted when Lane decided the duo was being too loud and disturbing her children’s nap time. Apparently, the world is supposed to be quiet on a Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM just because her kids are resting. Thankfully, Johnson captured the whole ordeal on video, which has since gone viral.
In the footage, you can see the shocking moment when Lane tells the small child that her mother “isn’t being very nice,” despite Johnson merely defending herself and her daughter. Johnson deserves recognition for her calmness in the face of Lane’s outrageous behavior.
“I was outside enjoying the afternoon with my daughter when this woman came down and asked if I would move so her kids can nap. Keep in mind, it was midday, and we were not even being loud at all,” Johnson recounted. When she refused to comply, Lane escalated the situation by attempting to get Johnson’s personal information and even following her around. Lane then revealed her true intentions. “She wanted to know which apartment I lived in, questioning if I was in the ‘affordable apartments’ meant for Cambridge residents or one of the Harvard-owned units (which is all the same building anyway),” Johnson wrote.
Johnson rightly noted that Lane’s questioning was racially charged, highlighting that her child is biracial. “She was so intent on knowing my apartment number, presumably to yell outside my window and see if I like it (real mature), while you can hear her tone in the video.” Interestingly, Lane’s background is in a field that should ideally promote understanding and compassion. She was the executive director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, focusing on “advancing the understanding of complex global issues.” Yet, she couldn’t even handle the “complex” issue of treating her neighbors with decency.
Before Lane’s social media presence vanished, she posted an apology, stating, “I am terribly sorry about the exchange I had with my neighbor on Saturday. What I said was inappropriate and wrong….I want to be accountable for my actions in a situation where I fell far short of my values and what I expect of myself.” In essence, it came off as, “I’m sorry I acted like my racist self, but now that it’s on video, I’m worried about my job.”
Can we please put an end to this nonsense? Can’t white individuals just relax and stop harassing black children? Johnson and her daughter were simply enjoying their own space. If Lane requires absolute quiet, she might want to consider living in a house rather than a bustling apartment complex. However, it’s clear that the noise level wasn’t truly the issue; it was Lane’s misguided anger toward Johnson and her daughter for merely existing in their own courtyard.
It’s the Permit Pattys and Naptime Ninas of the world who need to be told to be quiet, not the innocent families trying to enjoy their day.
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Summary
In an alarming incident, Theresa Lane, dubbed Naptime Nina, harassed a black mother and her child for enjoying time in their own backyard. Despite her role as a Harvard employee focused on humanitarian issues, Lane’s actions reflect a troubling attitude towards her neighbors. The situation highlights the ongoing issues of racial bias and the need for individuals to practice more kindness and understanding.