William,

On this past Monday while America celebrated Dr. King's legacy of love and equality, I saw something that still surprised me, if only a little.

I was in the only grocery store in this tiny racist town in the deep south. A Black woman possibly as old as 60 wanted some cookies on a shelf, but the unattended cart of an employee stocking merchandise was blocking her way. I could see that she was about to abandon hopes for being able to reach the product she wanted out of hesitation to move a cart placed inappropriately, most likely by a white employee (since most employees are.) Was it fear, or just habit of never making even the tiniest ripple, much less actual waves? As a white man, I'll never likely know.

So I moved the cart for her. The gratitude she expressed was certainly payment enough, but I'd have preferred that there simply be no more fear of this type left anywhere in America. (If this is one of her expressed fears, I can't begin to imagine those fears she keeps private.)

Thank you, William.