While running on the highway south of town during a marathon training run this week, I approached a bearded man in his early 40s as he walked toward me. As we neared each other, he looked right at me and yelled, “Go home!”

Momentarily confused, it quickly dawned on me that because of my Asian features, he was telling me to go home. I have been living in the United States, and have been a citizen, for more than 35 years. Hurt and angry, I thought, “I am going home.”

Why would anyone say this? What makes someone think it is acceptable to claim this place, while excluding someone else? I love this country for its freedom and love Vashon for its tolerance. Today was a sobering reminder that bigotry lives among us, and calling it out is my way of fighting back. My experience, though ugly and hateful, was the exception, not the rule. Vashon is home. I am home.

— Hanh Shaw