Accused of Stealing My Own Bicycle

Storytime and some 18th Century Cleaning
Getting Dressed- 0.0 sec to 1:38
Storytime- 3:16
18th Century Cleaning- 8:48
Whats in Your Basket- 10:46
Website- NotYourMommasHistory.com
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~Music List~
Clobber
BirdBrainz by Otis McDonald
Your Call Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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Exotics Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my past or present employers.

[@futurestoryteller]

Oddly enough I actually have had things like this happen to me. I used to work at a huge retail store, and I went up to the break-room during lunch. But since I didn't eat lunch I just laid my head down on the table. After like a minute, pretty much no time at all I feel someone poke my forearm. I thought it was a friend of mine, so I just ignored it, waiting for them to say something. Then I felt it again. So I look up and this lady from loss prevention is standing there with a walkie and, she goes "Who are you." So I told her my name, then she goes "Uh-huh, and do you work here?" I look at her like she's an idiot and I say "Yes." and she says "How _long_ have you worked here?" so I say... "Five years." She addresses the break room, "Does anybody know him? Does he work here?" She gets a response, don't remember who "Why don't you leave the poor kid alone, he works here, alright, he's worked here for a long time." So she asks me what my employee ID number is, and if I have my ID card. I said that I didn't, because nobody does. She radios in to tell her co-workers that _apparently_ I worked there, then she tells me "You _need_ to wear your ID card with you at all times, okay, at *all* times." I said that I absolutely would, and then didn't because nobody did, and I wasn't about to pretend I deserved to be treated differently than everyone else because this idiot missed me for half a decade, when it's her job to watch people. What's truly ridiculous is I recognize her immediately and she had no fuggin' idea who I was.

[@mrsgingernoisette]

I hated that lady.. Such a Karen. I wish you could be working in somewhere better soon.

[@Eloraurora]

I've had my bike stolen because I forgot to lock it up. I know people whose bikes have been stolen because someone cut their lock off. I've never *once* heard of a bike being stolen by someone carefully working out the lock combination like an old heist movie. I'm sorry you had to deal with this bullshit.

[@kellyj.azania4371]

I'm so glad she was able to ride away with her life.

[@jonlenihan4798]

A man took her picture.

[@DoctorCuriosity]

Something that I found useful: recording the frame number of your bike, preferably with an original receipt if you have it. (The number's usually under the crank.) That way if the authorities do hassle you, or god forbid your bike actually does get stolen, you can establish ownership and hopefully get the bike back if it's recovered.

[@ronistitch6510]

We have a thing in the uk where you have your poast coad (zip coad) and house number engraved next to that so you can prove its yours because it will match the adress on your id

[@jodeneantonson985]

What an awful thing to happen to you!

[@thezaftigwendy]

You have every right to be angry!

[@agypsycircle]

That’s why my Mom used a dremel and etched my name into mine, right on the frame! She did the same with hers and we found mine before they did anything to it, but all we ever recovered of Moms bike was the frame.

[@ronistitch6510]

In the uk we do house number and poast coad it gets them returned quicker and if you get stopped you can prove its yiurs because it will match the adress on your id

[@wilfordfraser6347]

I once had a man accuse me of trying to stealing his bike because I was standing next to it. I didn't even know there was a bike there until he came running up. I had just made some purchases in a drugstore, and I was standing in the lobby putting my purchases in my backpack. This was in Union City, NJ, which is a predominately Hispanic area. A fat man runs up to me shouting "What? What? What you gonna do now?" I'm looking at him like he's crazy because I don't know what he's talking about. It wasn't until he said the word "bike" that I even noticed I was standing beside a bike he had in the lobby. He obviously thought the only reason I had stopped in the lobby was because I was about to steal it. And while I can't prove it was a race thing I was a black man in a hoodie in an HIspanic neighborhood. This little fat guy obviously expected me to react with his level of ignorance, but I don't waste my energy arguing with fools. I could tell he was getting frustrated that I wouldn't respond him. He went waddling over to talk to the security guard who by then had started to walk towards us. I just turned around and left the store. And I hate to say this but incidents like these are the reason why as much as I can I try to do all of my shopping and handle of my business in black neighborhoods.

[@candyDander]

You never know when someone will watch this video or see your comment.

[@christieweyapuk3413]

I would have read your story. The internet is eternal. You never know who will see something when

[@kayf9933]

My reply is extremely late but I moved from Brooklyn,NY to North Bergen, NJ which is close to Union City. This was in 2019 and I could never explain it but the environment always felt hostile as if my presence wasn't welcome. I left in summer 2020 for a more diverse neighborhood in NJ.

[@wilfordfraser6347]

@@kayf9933 Hispanics can be very blatant about displaying their dislike of blacks. I was also in Union City when I went to the library and while I was in the reference section I saw the security guard had followed me upstairs and was standing there just watching me. Clearly he could not get his mind around the fact that a black man would go to the reference section of a library.

[@yippee8570]

Never before heard of 'cycling while black'. I am so sorry this happened to you 😞

[@ascent8487]

So, in this man’s mind, no black people could possibly own bicycles?

[@speerrituall1]

Fun fact: His name was Kevin, he’s Karen’s twin brother.

[@mariejilberia5908]

I know that I am a bit late, I found you and your AMAZING videos last night and I immediately subscribed. I love and appreciate the time and efforts you make bring us these educational vids. I have always loved history but got side tracked when my second child was born who is now in the autism spectrum. Let's just say life has gotten very interesting and busy lol. You have awakened my love for history african/black history in general and the fact that you're so dedicated and clearly enjoy your craft is really inspirational. I hope you will continue to make more of these vids so everyone, especially young black girls can learn about their history. I will be sharing your vids with my oldest daughter who is in the third grade and loves history and to read. Much much love and thank you!!

[@mmegraham]

SMDH. Bike ownership while Black. Dang, what a world!

[@brigidscaldron]

Watching this in August 2020. I’m so sorry that happened. How awful. I’m glad you are safe.

[@jonlenihan4798]

Don't feel too sorry for her. She feels free to harass "white" people over slavery.

[@karyn3341]

Shut up! She doesn't harass anyone, educating people is not harassment!

[@kitchenboy69]

@@jonlenihan4798 Sir, this is so ugly. I hope you get some help so you can see the truth. She does not harrass anyone. That feeling you feel inside, that's your guilt.

[@jonlenihan4798]

@@balladconfuoco No one goes to Martin Luther King Boulevard, because it's inhabited by backwoods Alabama trash, looking for a fight.

[@cathleenc6943]

At most places in the US you can go to the fire department near you and register your bike as being yours. This is a good way to prove it's yours if it gets stolen, and would also work in the instance you had of being accused of stealing your own bike. I am so sorry you had this experience and I am glad you told him to F off!

[@kitchenboy69]

It's so sad that so many people have poison in their mind. Grateful for these videos and your realness.

[@LynnRedwine800]

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[@kiragentry2366]

I’m so sorry that happened to you. I can’t even imagine how that must have felt. But I am glad you’re ok and were able to kind of laugh about it in this video. It breaks my heart that stuff like (and so much worse) happens every day. I hope we can change things, and quickly. At the end you mentioned getting sushi, my fiancé and I just moved to Williamsburg and I was wondering if there’s a particular restaurant you would recommend for sushi. We have tried Ichiban and liked it but I’d love to know if there was a place you prefer. I love your videos and posts on Instagram. Hoping to be able to become a patron soon. 💜

[@sevenstarsofthedipper1047]

This happened to me back in 1962. I was 8 years old and had never ridden my bike off of the street that I lived on before. The first time I did, the police stopped me and accused me of stealing my bike. I grew up in a large Northern city.

[@electricbutterfly65]

That SOB was a Ken! LOL!!!! Uh, huh!!!!

[@TealCheetah]

Oh yeh, workout outfit deff equals bike theft. *eye roll* people

[@dearyvettetn4489]

Reading the comments of all the well-meaning people with advice on ID’ing the bike to prove ownership... Bless y’alls hearts. She had a key, she unlocked the bike, there wasn’t better proof or ownership than that. And you’re (whoooosh🛫) totally missing the point that the dick with the camera on didn’t care that the bike was her’s. This is why racism is and will always be a problem in this country, in our lifetimes. The people who don’t get it, combined with tho ones who DGAF, vastly outnumber the ones who do. Those who do have SUPERPOWERS 🦸‍♀️ I’ll pray for the rest of you. Also, I was literally harassed for legally parking at a store to pick up a grocery order by an asshole doing exactly the same thing, but he wasn’t black and I was. When he realized I had as much of a right to be there, he refused to back down until management made him leave. Just another day in the life... 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@michelleross9782]

Oh GOOD GRIEF!!!!!! HOW FOOLISH!!!! Sometimes I wish I was an alien so I couldn't be considered associated with this species...

[@leighinreallife7386]

I just found you. You’re amazing! Thank you for the time you put into all of your videos and sharing them with us.

[@intheeyesofwoman]

I’m sorry that happened to you.

[@WhoIsJaiK]

Honestly I would’ve let him called the police and make him look like a fool once he realize it was my bike. What made him think it wasn’t your bike 🤔? Does he do this to everyone who unlocks their bikes?

[@CIST3]

That's easier said than done. Being a person of color, one knows that calling the police may or may not yield a just result. Clearly, she said she had a range of emotions. She was angry and afraid, that's the reality for many today.

[@WhoIsJaiK]

@@CIST3 I am a person of color... That’s why I said “I would’ve..” instead of “If I were a person of color” or something like that. Unfortunately my brother and one friend went through some police bs. I pray for not only my friends and family, but our people as a whole to not be targeted. (I also saw a video where a black woman made a white guy look like a fool which made me want to post that😄I’ll put in the link) kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnOqlmd8bLZmhc0

[@altarush]

He thought because you were black that you were stealing something.

[@lucicifarelli1637]

Literally something like this happened to me yesterday only I was walking in my Neighbourhood with my parasol 🤦🏽‍♀️wbb again

[@kennethmoles4643]

I would agree, that was really bizarre. I would have just got a chuckle out of you struggling with the key and offered some assistance.

[@julienowakowski9718]

The experiment was done by What Would You Do? Two actors one white, one black, The white guy got away almost every time. The black guy was caught quickly EVERY TIME.

[@inkedleo]

It’s happened to me before. My hometown is very small, and I think at the time this happened the population was about 2500, and everybody knew everybody. There was the hardware store that on one side was hardware, and the other side eventually turned into part pharmacy and part convenience store, and we knew the owners on a first name basis. Well I went in there one time, after having moved away and came back to visit family, with my boyfriend at the time. He was looking at something and I was going through and looking around at how they had changed the store. Well I had eventually decided to get a black eyeliner and when I walked up to pay, my bf had just come in front of me to get in line to pay for his stuff. There was one person in front of my bf, and when they were done, my bf steps up to pay. Well the person in front of my bf had taken a bit, and my bf as well, so I’m getting bored waiting, twirling the eyeliner in my hand, and at some point I clasp my hands behind my back while I wait. Just as my bf finishes, he’s putting stuff in his wallet and I’m still behind him and getting impatient cuz even though he’s done he hasn’t moved so I can pay. Just as I’m about to ask him to move so I can pay, the cashier says with an extremely accusatory voice, “Are you gonna pay for that?” I was so taken aback that she said that, and not to mention pissed off. In my head I’m thinking, “Bitch are you serious right now?? I’ve lived here my whole life, know the owners of this place, and my dad was a cop here for like 16yrs! If I wanted to steal it I would’ve already been out the door with it!” But what came out instead was me being equally bitchy and told her I was waiting for him to get done, then I turn to him and irritatedly ask him if he’s done so he can move. Lol don’t think he understood the sudden snap from me until I explained why in the car. He’s like “Yeah I was wondering why she thought you were stealing” I’m like, “I don’t know, maybe because I had my hands behind my back or maybe it’s just cuz she’s stupid, but I’m thinking it’s both lol.” He most likely thought you were stealing cuz it looked like you were having a hard time getting the lock undone, and she probably thought I was stealing cuz she saw me with it and when I moved closer I put my hands behind my back. But I think in both our cases it was both reasons like I had originally thought lol. They’re just idiots 😂🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

[@AKing69]

He ASSUMED she was stealing because she's Black. Period.

[@JOHNVS7]

People like you give hope for the future. I was once accused by my own granny of stealing money I found on the street. I was only 7 and I didn't even knew what to do with money. I think she suffered dementia, but no one diagnosed her mental state.

[@inkedleo]

@@JOHNVS7 man that’s too bad. Yeah as an adult I remember all the times I was accused of things as a kid that I didn’t do, so now as a parent I try hard not to do the same thing with my kids, or any kids for that matter, cuz I remember how horrible it made me feel and I don’t want any other kid to feel that way. But it’s bound to happen I guess, that’s life🤷🏻‍♀️

[@gwenb4531]

Well yes something like that did happen to me, I got accused of trying to steal a car, which I thought was mine. I did not realize that I had parked right next to a car that was identical to mine, same year, same color etc. When I left the grocery store, I was trying to open the trunk with the key but it would not go in, so along comes the owner of the car. Long story short, I went to the wrong car and was trying to open someone else's car. The police came, I was mortified, the situation was settled, but the embarrassment was still there.

[@TeamMaddisonYT]

People need to mind their business and get out of their phones recording people when there is no reason to (of course if there is abuse or something record it, but someone unlocking their bike?!) I would hope that the police would laugh at stupid calls like this.

[@mandipowell7797]

Etch a number in the bottom of the bike. I use my decreased Daddy's last 4.

[@JOHNVS7]

Oh I have a story! It happened just recently. It may be challenging to describe it in english, but I'll try (will have to google a lot). So, I went with my family to a newely opened swimming pool. And surprisingly for me it had unisex locker room with cabins for everyone. The shower though was separate, men to the left, women to the right and through the shower everyone would get to the pool. So after we done swimming, I go back to the shower. While there I think I cannot go back to the locker room naked, right? So I decided to not undress I'll just take a quick shower, then I will change in the cabin. Only later that I found out that some people were smarter and they'd go first to the locker room, grab the towel, take it with them to the shower then undress and squeeze out treir swimming wear, and wrap up in the towel to get back to the cabin. I didn't. So now I'm in the cabin taking off my wet thing. I should've just put it in the plastic bag as wet as it was, but for some reason I felt un urge to squeeze it out. I tought it couldn't hold that much water and even if so I would know when to stop, a few drops on the floor won't kill anyone and it's propably happens here all the time. Well I'm just a slob by my nature, I try to be better, but I just don't have a mindset to always find best ways to go around things, I'm sorry. So when I started to squeeze and the water rained on the floor, the little puddle I created got under the next cabin and woman inside yealled at me "What are you doing?! I'm calling the manager right now!". I was stunned cause I knew I did wrong, but was it that much of a crime really? But as she kept yelling it became clear to me that what she's acusing me of is urinating in the cabin! That's crazy, and I would also have no way to prove I did no such thing, unless medical people would take samples of the luqid on the floor. I felt really terrible for a moment there, but luckly I was able to explain everything, and she beileved me. I wonder if that idea came to her mind because of the fear of unisex locker room. Like she expected to be offended somehow in a place like this. Sorry I'm not black, almost none of us are in Russia. American culture is like my hobby.

[@mynamejeff3545]

And the worst is, you know the middle-aged dipstick won't regret his actions for a moment, and would 100% do it again to someone else. These kind of busybodies hurt a LOT more people than they help, and it's a shame you now feel terrible because of someone else's mistake :(

[@leij4247]

It is better for a person to say they don't know if they do not know or say they don't want to get involved if they may or may not know but do not want to snitch or whatever than to lie on someone is the point because you don't want someone doing that to you. Period. 🚁

[@bunnyhop1017]

That’s crazy. You shouldn’t have to prove it’s your bike! He sounds like a jerk.

[@eye4truebeauty355]

I'am late to your party please post more videos.

[@leij4247]

If people are accusing you of stealing your own bicycle, then we're accusing handicap ♿ people of creating their handicap and staging it to get out of working and getting people to feel sorry for them as well as using their pain and handicaps as excuses to cause physical harm and all sorts of different harm and harrasment to people then. Doesn't that sound horrible? I hope they tell the truth and own up to what they did and stop accusing you who although may not be perfect but for the most part you live an honest life and would not risk what you are working towards and your success to do something that doesn't make any type of sense at all for your character. PERIOD! GOD BLESS YOU 🤗🙏💕💯🚁

[@markperkins9445]

Exactly what a bike thief would say. 🕵

[@Exiria]

Wow

[@ahnyisbillingsley8589]

So what are you trying to say

[@surakuvliegendefiets6226]

Sarcasm I hope?

[@essendossev362]

That's infuriating!

[@lesliewheeler7071]

Infuriating!!!

[@rrjohn5]

What in the sam hill?! Ugh. Yeah, I guess you WERE angry! I know it's easy to say "you shoulda..." when it's not in the moment but... It would have been awesome to video him right back and tell him you will call the police for stalking!😡 What a creeper!

[@GiftSparks]

I love your videos. I have question with the costume. I don’t think safety pins had been invented in the period your are representing. Did clothing actually close with pins? It seems so inefficient. Especially for people who have children or work with children- it could be dangerous.

[@ltvanburen8555]

Yes, people used straight pins.

[@MidnightArcade404]

i am so mad on your behalf. I'm sorry if that's not the reaction you want and I am very incredibly sorry for what you went through. I'm just so mad at the simple fact that i was actually relieved that it was a random guy and not a cop. I'm so mad that he might still have that recording of you. i am mad that this is a thing that happens too often to black POC.

[@charlottethehousegoat5960]

OMG! Thats awful!

[@ethanomcbride]

😣

[@balthiersgirl2658]

I know this is old how bloody dare he I can not believe it

[@ellanina801]

Some people are nuts…

[@jesslynn5934]

Im so sorry that happened to you. I just don't get people who do this. I have never in my life assumed an individual was stealing based on that persons race. But my mamaw always told me you can't fix that kind of ignorance honey.

[@herbcutler3194]

*how dare you teach historical realism*

[@Sew_Learning]

Very, very sad that a bigot put you in that situation! Shame!

[@hodan605]

Here on 2020 RIP George Floyd!

[@TeRenner123]

okay how you explain it this realy looked suspiciouse. to someone passing by

[@kristinamartines6806]

seeing someone unlock a bike looks suspicious to you ?

[@TeRenner123]

@@kristinamartines6806 if you dont know how to open it yes i wouldnt count me out

[@klisterklister2367]

this is a case of assuming guilt on a hint of suspicion. just looking suspicious isn't proof of guilt. don't assume guilt with so little to back it up.

[@gaylabetts]

I do not like the music you don't need it please don't put it on your videos