Hopefully this thread doesn't go sideways, but I think it's worth sharing. I was the object of an overt act of "hate" today.
I had to go to Washington DC today to pick up a new credentials card for one of the gummint agencies I'm contracted to for mediation. It's DOWNTOWN, 17TH and G St NW (SERIOUSLY DOWNTOWN). After I get my new card authenticated Im walking back to the parking garage (where I paid $14 for 30 minutes 🤬), and I duck into a McDonald's on H St. Nice place, kiosk orders only, maybe 5 folks in there including me. Order and pay for my Diet Coke and just wait in the gerneral queue with all the others. A man in a hoodie walks up to me and puts his hand in my face, flipping me the bird. I don't respond in any way- he walks away. He's African American (I think), elderly looking (maybe 50's?). I don't think he's homeless based on attire, but based on where I was, I don't think he was headed to work either. I'm surprised as this has never happened to me. There's two other white gentlemen waiting for their orders and another black customer waiting who saw what happened. He looked at me and shook his head in obvious disapproval/disappointment. He then says "man, some people". Ignoring the bird flipper, I say to the witness, "he's one of God's children just like the rest of us". Then I notice my hater is behind me, so I move to the front as they called my order #. I grab my Diet Coke and head for the door as I notice my hater is glaring at me with lasers. I say "you have a nice day sir". He says "fuck you, motherfucker".
My emotions are mixed between shock and pity for someone so eaten up with hate that he's got to go public with it. I'm not angry and that kind of surprises me. It did occur to me that since he picked me and behaved like this, was I being baited into an altercation that he somehow would end in his favor? Was he offended by the color of my skin, my gray hair or my Italian nose? Why single me out?
It's a strange word out there. This ever happen to any of you?
