My Journal

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice...shame on me.

Though twice I met this, they are different people (I think).

They (black people on both occasions) look for people who's walking hastily on the streets of New York City, and they threw their glasses to the floor and accuse the rushing pedestrian they think they could fool.

Last evening was the second time. This time, instead of giving him $10 like the first time (which took me quite a while to start wondering if it had been a scheme), the conversations went like this:

I was running.

guy: Yo! Hey! (I thought I dropped something, slowed down, check my pockets, and turned around and ran to him to see what happened - I was really in a rush)

The guy picked up something and he said: Never mind...(We parted opposite directions)

At the junction while waiting for Walk sign to cross the street, he came back and tapped on my back, showing me his broken glasses.

guy: You see. My glasses are broken.

(I had began to suspect the crime when I saw him picked up something that looked like glasses but I couldn't see clearly at that time and even wondered if he had given up)

I said: Go get it fixed then.

guy: No, you broke it.

I said: No I didn't.

guy: You ran and knocked it out of my hand.

I said: No, I was really sure where I was and I didn't touch anyone and no one touched me.

guy: You gotta becareful man.

I said: No you're lying.

Walk sign On.

I said:  I'm sorry...

guy interrupted: That's o.k.

I said: I just don't trust you.

I began running to meet my appointment.

Of course, there are many thoughts. This second guy seems tamer. The first had sort of an angry look on his face. It does teach me to be watchful and try not to walk too hastily. At the same time, it is a challenge to have to face the "angry" type. Courage and WISDOM.