Affright

Well written!

I experienced something similar right after 9/11. I, with a friend, walked out of the subway station in East Toronto one evening and noticed a black homeless man walking towards us. His wayward walk made me realize that he was under the influence thus i moved to a side of the footpath and gave him ample space so that we would not cross each others path. My only mistake was to make eye contact and he abruptly asked me why my people did it. I, caught off guard, mumbled, ``What did my people do?`` He wanted to know why my people flew planes into the World Trade Centre?

I was amazed by what he said and guessed he presumed that since i was brown i was a Muslim. I tried to reason with him that they were not my people (which i felt guilty for later) and that whatever happened was very wrong. However my words were falling on deaf ears and with a finger stabbing my chest i was repeatedly asked the same question. It was after a lot of persuasion that i managed to free myself from this person and my friend and i briskly walked away from him.

This incident had me thinking of how the Muslim community felt post 9/11. They, unfairly, had to defend themselves, even though they themselves did not anything.

Simply but well written. The expression of fleeting emotions was very well done.

U were right on every one being on their guard nowadays!

Extremely well written. All the feelings and emotions are expressed quite effectively.

More than the incident, it was your musings & meditations which were thoroughly insightful.
Real concrete narrations are far more effective than affectation-laden ``literature``.

Keep reporting.

Some interesting experience and insightful observations!

Sometime, some of these experiences make you paranoid as well. But paranoia is better than taking a risk or letting someone walk over you. I am reminded of my gloves that were stolen right in front of me by a tall african american guy over a decade ago in Michigan`s cold winter. I demanded him to return my stuff. He got annoyed. And, without wasting any time, I snatched my gloves back resisting the desire to knock him off. And, walked out of the small grocery store I had just stopped by on my way. Later, I was surprised on my own reaction. I had issues with his guts to lecture me on why I left my stuff on the counter. Man, there were far more weird incidents I have come across in the midwest than anywhere else in my life. Still, I miss the snow and some old friends. I guess that`s life...you move on.

Mr. C.
great job here as usual!

I know you must be busy with the new additions at the moment,

so my greetings via CHOWK.


Ras