avatarEP McKnight, MEd

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2023

Abstract

she wanted to express how inadequate she thought <i>I</i> was? Hmmm (tapping chin, and looking at the ceiling).</p><p id="8ea3">I swept out of her office without a goodbye, which she deserved. I passed a tall, thin young black woman cheerfully conversing with the bank teller. “Go on in,” said the bank teller, gesturing towards the sorry Karen with the stank attitude.</p><p id="e955">The tall young black woman happily bounded over to Karen’s lair. I wanted to say to her, “Be careful, there’s a hungry Karen over there,” but I didn’t and I went on my way.</p><p id="8d12">After meeting up with my friend in the warm enough New England afternoon, rubbing our hands over the flame heaters outside the cafe, I decided to stop by the independent computer repair shop. The bell clanged against the door, alerting my presence, and the man I recognized from before Christmas when I had brought my computer stood at his station.</p><p id="1395">But why, in good God’s name, did it smell like poop in that place? It hadn’t ever smelt like that before. I looked around. Was there a bathroom somewhere? I peered around. No. Just a smaller office and a supply closet. I mean, I was wearing a mask, so the smell must have been BAD. Had a disgruntled customer recently come in and taken a revenge dump on the carpet and marched out? I wanted to make some odor-related remark, but I didn’t really know what to say. In fact, I pictured someone else coming in behind me, thinking, “Did this lady blow up the indie computer repair store?”</p><p id="2696">I was wrongly implicated in this way in graduate school. I went into a single stall bathroom and the toilet bowl was flooded with diarrhea leftovers. Sorry, I don’t know how else to say it. I couldn’t stomach using the sight, so I turned heel and edged my way past the person waiting to come in. The door closed behind her, and one second later, it opened and she ran out with a disgusted look on her face. I wanted to rush up to her and say, “It wasn’t me, I swear!” “Tell her it wa

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sn’t you!” My friends urged me, but I felt too foolish.</p><p id="0a64">I‘m sure the computer guy knew the source of the stench, or at least, knew it wasn’t me, so I pleasantly explained my computer problem to Chris or Bob or Dan or somesuch. My stomach begged me to get out of there as fast as possible. ChrisBobDan was one of those guys whose statements continually failed to indicate the end of a conversation, like, “Ok……. so I’ll order the part and email you……” He didn’t look up and kept typing away. “So, we’re done?” I breathed anxiously. “Yeahhhh….” he drawled in an insecure, noncommittal tone, still jabbing at the keyboard. I dashed out of there into the fresh afternoon air.</p><p id="bea3">Thanks for reading,</p><p id="d01a">~MJ</p><div id="a264" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/karen-i-prefer-boa-constrictor-1eee10b46222"> <div> <div> <h2>Karen? I Prefer Boa Constrictor</h2> <div><h3>This insidious kind of Karen kills you with fake niceness.</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*6N8Y_d01iS-4s4NJb3F-Xg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="9698" class="link-block"> <a href="https://mjadia.medium.com/i-cheered-when-they-came-for-amy-coopers-dog-38ee2da484"> <div> <div> <h2>I Cheered When They Came for Amy Cooper’s Dog</h2> <div><h3>She deserved it. But maybe call-ins are better than canceling and call-outs</h3></div> <div><p>mjadia.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*ECc8nVelcIbK72LNtf_OeQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

Life and Times of Mr. Robert Graetz, A Civil Rights Champion

The Man who Lived What he Preached with a Legacy never to be Forgotten

Photo by WAMU

A man of great conviction

the only white minister

of Trinity Lutheran Evangelical church

who supported the 381 day Montgomery bus boycott

became a target of scorn and bombings

harassments, threats, he and his family

marching to win desegregation of pubic buses

while his home twice bombed by white supremacists

at home with children, there lay their 9-day-old baby

homed damaged, blew out windows, all were okay

his life challenge and loyalty, he wrote in his book

“A White Preacher’s Message on Race and Reconciliation”

describes the life saving games played with his children

as they all faced much danger from angry racist mobs

teaching how to duck behind the sofa

when they heard strange noises outside

despite scorn, violence and threats

he declared not to change a thing

it was a privilege of standing up

for righteousness and justice

love was a greater reward for humanity

he was known to live what he preached

stood against hate, life at estate

for equal rights for blacks and the community

coined, a remarkable civil rights and social justice leader

who possessed a kind and gentle soul

who dedicated his life to Dr. King’s vision

for equality and equal opportunity for all

he now takes his wing, knowing he made a difference

as he lived for a purpose and the purpose was real.

For additional read:

Startup
Poetry
Life
Life Lessons
Civil Rights
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