Spurred by continued demonstrations against racism and police violence, Law.com affiliate The Daily Report recently asked readers to share their stories “at the corner of law and humanity,” where attorneys’ trained logic met the powerful feelings prompted by these turbulent times.

The responses included two from African American lawyers who recalled white people assuming something about them from the color of their skin. In one case, the results were awkward and insulting; the other was more ominous, turning an already difficult situation into a bizarre nightmare.