This is an experience I want to share with you because I think it's a story that needs to be shared. And isn't that what life is all about... sharing our stories?
I was on my way to Naples, NY to have a Memorial Day and birthday party with my wife's family. We were driving her car, which is new to her, because the old '99 Camery had too costly a job to make it worth the while to fix it. It had served her well, 170,000 + miles! It's true what they say about the Camery's that just keep going. And this newer version, a 2007 year model seemed to be a car we could trust, except for one thing. It's security system was extremely touchy. It would lock itself and arm the car randomly. Then when we'd get in or out of it, the alarm would go off. This didn't seem a big problem until that Sunday.
We needed gas, so we drove into the station at the Victor, NY exit. I was driving and pulled up to the pump and Peg got out of her side and went in to give the attendant the money before she filled the car up with gas. A car drove into the station and pulled in front of me to that pump. A rather handsome guy got out to get gas. I noticed this, because he seemed dressed professionally. He went into the office. As he walked by, our car armed itself. I heard it lock but didn't think anything of it.
Time was passing by and Peg had not come out of the office. She was talking to the man who had gone in after her. This kind of annoyed me as we were running late and we were due at a certain time for dinner. They finally both came out. Peg pumped gas, opened the door and our alarm went off... honk, honk, honk... etc. The guy in front pumped and drove away.
I asked her if she knew the man she was talking to. She said no. He came into the office and was very annoyed that when he walked passed our car, I hit the locks. You see, he was African American. I was morified! Damn this car! I felt embarrased and even angry that he would think that about me. But then Peg and I talked more about the incident.
I am a white woman. I was sitting alone in the car. I am over 60 years old. And yes... Ego says... you are a good woman and would never do such a disrespectful thing. That is MY experience. But what is HIS experience? Could it be that he has white women moving away when he enters an elevator, or stands in a bank line, or who lock their car doors when he gets too close?
My first question to Peg was "Did you defend me?" Well... no she did not defend me. She explained to the man how our car was having security system issues, which may have seemed lame to him until our horn started blarring. But twice she said to him... "You are absoluting right about this!"
Yes, it was wrong to lock the car door at the moment he walked by, even if I wasn't the one who initiated the lock.
