I was accused of being racist while thrift shopping

Dear Miss Manners: While searching for bargains at a local charity thrift shop, an older lady near me suddenly asked me why I was ignoring her. I’d had no inkling that she had even addressed me. I apologized and asked what she wanted.

She immediately fired back, “It’s because of my skin color. You Whites drive me crazy. Your s— stinks just like the rest of us.” I was floored. I just mumbled something like “I guess so,” and scampered away. She raised her voice to deliver more racist attacks. The thing is, I am Latina, just as she was, but I do not necessarily look it.