male voice say, “wait, is that a F#% n*$#%?”
I did a double take. What did I just hear? Did he hear it too?
Did he see me give them the finger? (Did I really do that?)
If it hadn’t been September, there would still have been boats in the water. (Heaven help us if there had been.) I pictured myself hopping on a wave runner and chasing them down. To say what? First of all, he isn’t black, he’s Indian. (Would I have explained that?) Or would I have told them how ignorant and racist they were? Would I tell them how ashamed I am to be from a place that is too secluded and sheltered and myopic to think outside themselves?
I was enraged.
He didn’t seem to have heard or seen anything and I didn’t want to tell him. (I wonder though if he did). I wanted to protect him from everything that represented.
How could anyone disrespect the man who is the kindest, most gentle, selfless man I know? It breaks my heart to think how many people are unable to see beyond color to reveal what truly matters.
Who are you in this scenario? The appreciative girlfriend? Open-minded parent? Engaged children? Or are you someone who whispers when we enter a room together? Are you the guy in the ski boat calling people names?
Who are you?
I know who I am (and it involves a wave runner). I am colorblind. Are you?