I was fortunate enough to grow up in a home where the expectation was that "all men are created equal." (More later on why unfortunately that phrase DOESN'T include women.) There was a constant jarring of my senses when mother and I would go downtown shopping (there weren't yet shopping malls or suburbs in Austin) at the Scarborough department store. One time a salesperson went apoplectic when I drank from the water fountain with the "Colored" sign near it (I was five years old). In my high school years it was a time when other kids referred to the Agudas Achim synagogue as "The Church of the Burning Bush."
A few days ago, I was going to lunch (alone) and looking for a parking space in Capitol Plaza (love those Amaya's platters!) I saw someone from work (of a different ethnic background) walking towards the Cici's Pizza, so I waved. She looked startled. As I came around the next row of parking spaces, I watched her get back into her car, talking to herself, with an expression like you get when something is unexpectedly sour. After lunch, I went by her office. She wasn't there but on her desk was a drink and crumpled bag from a nearby fast food place. Draw your own conclusions!
Here's my question. What would happen if I had done the same thing?
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