The morning after, random white people were eerily nice to me today:
The older white woman bus driver enthusiastically thanked me for showing her my bus pass upon entry.
The young female barista at Starbucks was noticeably more energetic and talkative. Loudly inquiring, "How are you doing today??" and "Have a great day today, okay?"
On my way out of Starbucks, a middle-aged white man in a gray suit made an effort to head me off at the pass in order to hold the door open for me (and no, he wasn't leering at all).
Then there were at least two random black women, probably around my age or a little older, who caught my eye and exchanged knowing grins with me. This was all before I got to work this morning. It only takes me 30 minutes to get to work (including the coffee run).
You see, Pittsburghers are a polite people. We understand politics is not appropriate small talk with strangers. However, that doesn't keep us from expressing our feelings in other ways!
I won't even tell you about the voicemail I received from my late grandmother (okay, maybe on my next post).
Photo: Central Area School Council Election (BlackPast.org)
4 comments:
Hey, there were knowing grins exchanged at the preschool drop-off this morning too, and New Englanders are uber-reserved and painfully appropriate. Oh, and white, too.
On KDKA, I saw that the news choppers spent a lot of time hovering over the celebrations which spilled onto Forbes Ave near the "O."
Looking forward to exploring how the local, national, and international political engagement can part of the daily rhythm of "the new generation" in this "new day."
LOL. Yes, and I can see the exhuberance spilling out more, even here. Today, two of my colleagues at work went on a "hug fest" around the office, because they could no longer contain their happiness!
I guess I'm happy for them, and for the momentary euphoria apparent around the world, in fact. But the cynic in me thinks "geez, people! Let's pull ourselves together. It's never been more true that we ALL need to work to make things better, and HE has taken on the hardest job of all."
Amen!
Am I allowed to say Amen Sister! ;-)
Post a Comment