My random act of kindness

[DemocratSinceBirth]

I get on the bus to go shopping for a few things at Target. There's a man on the bus who is a bit loud not in a threatening way but because he's a bit slow and doesn't understand boundaries. He's talking to different people who are ignoring him but I respond to him and start talking to him. We both get off at the same stop and I see him in Target just looking around. Low and behold, I finish my shopping and am waiting for the bus...He's waiting too but he doesn't have anything... We start talking and he tells me he's on SSDI and doesn't have much money. I have two bags of groceries and household goods. I want to give him something... A container of potato salad or a pepper doesn't seem appropriate so I give him my big of Cape Cod Lattice Chips.


It reminds me of what my political hero, Robert Kennedy, said about sending out ripples of hope:

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

[Faux pas]

1. Kickin'

[IdaBriggs]

2. That is really nice - the chips were cool, but I liked how you acknowledged his humanity the most.

[awoke_in_2003]

4. Same here...

sometimes people just want someone who listens.

[japple]

5. Yes! There are so many people who are so involved with their devices that they cannot even

acknowledge a living, breathing person in "their" space. Either that, or they're really afraid to actually speak to someone they don't know. It's sad. I talk to lots of people and depend on my intuition to let me know what is safe, what is not. Maybe I'm a fool, but I've never been sorry.

[F4lconF16]

9. I think that they are afraid.

I also think that all too often it is bigotry motivated fear, as well. When I ride the bus, I often see the homeless step on board. Even in a more liberal Seattle, I often see physical discomfort about having a black man sit down next to them. It doesn't happen with white men. When a transgender woman steps on, I can see people look away, hoping she won't sit next to them.

Even if they aren't afraid because of race, I think that too many are scared of the poor and of the homeless. It deeply saddens me when I watch a couple of college frat boys with nice watches and suits move away from an elderly man struggling with his precious few groceries, or a woman who is wearing beaten, torn clothing.

I don't understand it. I really don't.

I used to avoid talking to other people as well, but that was a self-confidence problem, not a discomfort because someone was different. I refuse to wear headphones on the bus anymore, as engaging and learning from other people has become of my favorite daily experiences. I've begun speaking up, saying something to people who look like they could use a friend. Though I may only see them for a few minutes, it's incredible what a couple kind words can do to brighten someone's day.

Even late at night when I find myself wandering the streets, I've begun talking to people. Though I'm sure not all them are shining examples of good character, as you said, I rely on my intuition to let me know when something feels wrong. I have yet to regret talking to someone. One of the best conversations I have had in recent times was with a homeless man under a bridge in a park late at night. I shared what water I had with him, as well as a few saltine crackers, and we talked about random things for a little while before he moved on. I think he just wanted someone to acknowledge his humanity.

I think in the end, that is what it comes down to: we need to recognize that we are all human, that we share a common experience. As a friend of mine so succinctly put it, "We all shit, breathe, and eat.".If we can do that, the rest tends to fall into place. The people on the bus that I see, they can't do that. They see differences, clothes, skin colors, genders, perspectives that are different than their own, and they are scared. I don't know why.

[Odin2005]

3. As an autistic person who is on SSI, this warms my heart!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. I don't think he was autistic. He was very sociable and jovial.

I don't mind but it isn't the norm.

He said he goes to the hospital almost every day for meds.

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. kick

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. It was in L A

On the 164...

[Cha]

10. Awesome, I love it.. DSB! Thank you for this from RFK.. very inspiring..

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”