When Marc Yu checked his mailbox in Vacaville, California, in May 2019, he found a typed letter that stunned him and his wife, Sandy. It wasn’t just anonymous, it was personal, presumptuous, and deeply racist. The author, claiming to speak on behalf of the neighborhood, demanded the Yu family leave within 60 days. Their offense? Existing while being an interracial family.
"Your interracial family is not welcome here."
— anonymous letter
The note, addressed to "the tenants at 1216 [REDACTED STREET]," opened with condescension about the Meadowlands neighborhood and its supposed standards. It claimed residents had lived there for over 20 years and took pride in its “cleanliness and quiet atmosphere.” It then veered into an outright attack:
“Renters like yourselves cannot possibly afford a home in our area... This is not the ghetto.”
The author made it clear they believed the Yu family were renters, accusing them of damaging the front lawn and threatening to contact the “landlords” if they didn’t vacate the home within 60 days. The writer ended the letter by admitting to anonymity “for my protection” and signing off with the ominous warning: “the clock is ticking.”
"This is not the ghetto."
— anonymous letter
The assumptions were wrong. The racism was loud.
The letter Marc and Sandy recieved was riddled with racism and typos. Facebook
Beyond the raging racism and cowardly anonymity, there was another problem with the letter: Marc and Sandy Yu weren’t renters. They owned their home. Marc is a home financing professional who helps others secure mortgages for a living. Their financial stability and commitment to their community were never in question—except in the eyes of someone who saw their race first and their humanity last.
Marc and Sandy have three young children, and they’re not just residents, they’re active community members. Marc helps lead Girl Scout Troop 30477. They’re Golden State Warriors fans, deeply rooted in the local culture, and known by neighbors for being kind, hardworking, and welcoming.
The neighborhood pushed back
News of the letter spread quickly, and support for the Yu family poured in. One neighbor, Kelly Natividad, said, "As I kept reading it, it just got worse and worse and very offensive. It’s just frustrating to know that [there are] people [who] are obviously racist in our community."
"As I kept reading it, it just got worse and worse and very offensive."
— Kelly Natividad
Marc shared with local media that 7 of the 8 homes on his block were occupied by interracial families—making the letter’s assumptions even more absurd. Vacaville Police opened an investigation and took the letter seriously, with Lt. Mark Donaldson calling it “very disturbing.”
"At this point, we don’t know if there’s any crimes," he said, acknowledging the emotional weight the note carried regardless of legal technicalities.
In the years since...
The Vacaville Police Department later concluded that while the letter was “disgusting and disturbing,” it did not meet the legal criteria for a hate crime. No suspect was identified, and the investigation was closed. But the story didn’t end there.
"The letter was disgusting and disturbing."
— Vacaville Police Department
The Yu family continued to live in their home, supported by neighbors who made it clear that intolerance wasn’t welcome. They received messages of solidarity from strangers and fellow residents alike. Marc and Sandy remained committed to their home, their children, and their community work. They chose resilience and grace in response to hate, refusing to be intimidated.
As of the latest updates, there have been no further incidents. The Yus are still proud residents of Vacaville, and by all accounts, are as welcomed as ever.
Representative Image: When one family was made to feel unwelcome, a neighborhood stepped up. Canva
More good than bad
Marc and Sandy’s story is a case study in the quiet, insidious nature of modern racism, masked in assumptions and sealed in an envelope. But it’s also a reminder that compassion and community are louder. When the anonymous writer told the Yu family to leave, their neighbors told them to stay.
If you’re reading this and it makes you angry, good. Use that anger. Speak up. Stand with your neighbors. Support policies and leaders that protect marginalized communities. And never let anonymous hate speak louder than visible love.
The clock may be ticking, but it's counting down to something better.
This article originally appeared four years ago.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.