Brown guy at a mall

[grantcart]

28. My family takes me shopping very reluctantly

I immediately seek out nationals of foreign countries, looking especially for people that appear from countries with Islamic majorities.

I ask what country they are from and I always respond with a cheerful country appropriate response and a "I am glad you are here may I apologize on behalf of the American people for the stupid things President Trump has said".

I always get the biggest grins and always "no that is not necessary" and so on.

Yesterday I was at Target and a man who appeared to be from Africa was holding his son. "Angola" he answered. "So I am guessing that you were paroled into the US as a refugee?

"Yes" he said. I described the final steps of processing, the plastic bag and the logo and he answered "Yes IOM gave that to me".

I told him that I spent a decade working for IOM and he called his whole family from through out the store and the men hugged me and the women gave me two handed handshakes. We talked about the refugee camp. He has two jobs now and wants to finish college so he can go into law enforcement. He loves the country.

My wife was sitting in the subway shop next to us pointing to her watch. We were late for an appointment. I felt human again.

I wish I was there so I could have stepped in on your behalf.

I have a suggestion, next time you are at the Mall look out for some folks who appear to be immigrants or refugees an engage them and tell them how happy you are they are here. I cannot express the feeling I have gotten over and over again when they realize that, for the first time, the random stranger is not there to accuse but to support. It will take away all of the sting that you felt on the day you have written so eloquently about.