KINGS, Ill. (WTVO) — Michael Williams opened his car detailing and motorcycle customization shop in Ogle County less than a month ago. On Sunday, after finding a racial slur painted on the building’s exterior, he decided to close the business and move it somewhere else.
Clearly Customs, at 206 Linn Street, opened in early February. Williams, who is black, said yesterday’s incident wasn’t the first time he was targeted with racial hatred since moving in.
“As soon as we opened the shop here, I kind of brushed off and ignored the note that was near my front door. It was very simply put and written, ‘You don’t belong here,’ Williams said.
“Just thought it was a fluke and paid no mind to it. Literally brought it up with the rest of the trash I picked up on the way into the building, tossed it away,” he continued.
On Sunday morning, he found a racial slur painted on the garage doors of his business, , reading “Die n******s, leave.”
“It took it to a different level because it wasn’t just directed towards me,” he said. “Adding that ‘s’ means someone has recognized that it’s not just me. It’s my son as well.”
Williams said he was hoping to build up his business before his son graduates high school, with the plan to pass it along to him.
“We wanted to give something built up for him, to be able to come in and do what he does as far as the automotive detailing, and then, in turn, still be able to enjoy our hobby as far as the motorcycle side goes,” Williams said.
On Monday, residents who saw Clearly Customs’ Facebook post over the weekend came to help clean up the graffiti.
Cynthia Malkmus said, “This is not something that we deal with. And it’s sad. It’s sad that it’s come to this because that — that’s just not acceptable. It’s not acceptable.”
Williams said he was grateful for his neighbors’ support.
“We’re just going to tighten up our boots and keep moving and strive forward, it’s what we can do,” he said.
Williams said he intends to move his business out of Kings.
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