The police were confused, and thought they were in Alabama? /sarc
I had a friend who happened to be black who grew up on a farm in Tennessee. He had told me how some of the neighboring farmers were up front with how they felt about blacks, but they would still do business with you, trade favors, and help you out when you needed it. He learned that people up North were much worse because they kept their feelings hidden, yet would shut you out when it came to interactions and opportunity.