Just had dinner with my sister at Brickwall and was walking back to
my office. Right at the corner (where the gas company was) there
was a guy about 6'2" who tried to stop me. His attire was what I
would expect from one of these street gang thugs.
As we got closer he slowed to a stop. The street there is very dark
and we were the only ones for a block in either direction.
He put his right hand in his jacket pocket. He started saying
something to me about his gang, but he was mumbling so I couldn't
make it out. "Gang" was the only word that came through clearly.
I said, "What?" and when he took his right hand slowly out of this
pocket, I saw he had no weapon. I just grunted at him and walked
past him.
I've lived/worked here my whole life, and I've never been afraid
when approached by anyone. Never. Even when I figured whomever it
was had no good on his mind. I was always kind of proud of that.
I have to say though maybe the recent shootings are affecting my
psyche. When he started pulling his hand out, I have to admit I
felt a lump in my throat. First time.
You know what? I'm pissed at me. I shouldn't have been a little
bit upset by him. That's what they want. That's victory for them.
Even after 9-11 when people would ask if it changed my life, I would
always yell "Hell no! That's what they want." Same for these
scumbags.
I think this guy was trading on recent headlines. We were all alone
in the dark, and he had an out of shape, middle-aged guy in a suit
and tie in front of him. I must look like one of those marks the bad
guys dream about. If he were "keeping it real" I should be writing
to you minus my wallet. I'm thinking he was a friggin' poser. How
could I be so dumb? Is he really going to announce his gang
affiliation before he pulls a heater?
Anyway, despite our varied politics, let's all stick together in the
face of these criminals. Nothing less than victory.
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