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anniebrisibe@yahoo.com Woodbury, MN, USA

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THE LOOK OF COLOR, IN THE EYES OF THE OTHER

hank you madam for the tip and have a good flight. The taxi driver looking very gentlemanly and courteous had said to me. So when are you due back from London he asked? I looked at him wondering why he was being so friendly especially in this day and time when you are suspicious of almost everyone around you. I am not sure I said; I will call you in advance if I need you to pick me up. I said thank you and pulled my bags behind me into the Northwest ticket area.

Oh my, what in the world am I thinking, traveling to London at this time of unknown uncertainties. Lord please see me through this trip I prayed. All of a sudden, someone bumped into me very aggressively. Where in heaven's sake are you rushing...i screamed. I am sorry madam, he said. I was trying to catch my flight to London before it departs. Would you mind if I stand in front of you as I am running really late.

I looked up and it was a young gentleman, of Middle Eastern descent. So I thought at the moment. He was well shaven, well dressed in English cloths, spoke English with a slight Arabic accent and bowed when he apologized. Please he continued, can I stand in front of you. You are almost at the counter please.

Well, I didn't know what to say because he was so polite and I thought if I were in his shoes what would I do. Hopefully the same thing I guess beg someone to allow me in. Oh yeah you can, hope you catch your flight I said. Thank you madam and he politely strolled in front of me.

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As he stood facing the counter waiting for his turn, my mind worked like a space shuttle, immediately building up all the fears about the suspicions of Middle Eastern men and terrorism. I watched his every move, what he brought out of his pocket, how he talked, what he said but most especially his bags. I was so terrified; I almost had a panic attack. Okay, I said to myself stop it. You are being prejudicial. Stop! Stop!! Stop!!!. Alright I echoed internally. This is ridiculous, what has come over me.

Do I really have the right to think of this classy gentleman, whom I later realized is a pediatric surgeon after all, the 'friendly' interrogations by the ticket attendant? Maybe I do or maybe I don't. I was struggling with my thoughts as to what is right and what is wrong. Listen, I said it is not your fault Annie for thinking this way. After all, more than 90% of the bombers have come from the Middle East or South East Asia.

Regardless, he may be an innocent victim who just happens to come from the Middle East. Yeah right, I said. Struggling with my inner thoughts I didn't realize when I asked the question; why are you late for your flight? Oh he said I was in the operating room dealing with a life threading surgery of a 4 year old boy. He is fine now, everything went well he concluded. Good for you, I heard a voice from behind me say. I looked back and realized that more than ten people standing behind me had their eyes fixed on this classy gentleman.

So where are you flying to another elderly Caucasian male asked. To London the gentleman replied. I am going to see my family. Oh, echoed another Caucasian female. Do you live in the United States, when are you due back etc. The questions just kept coming. Seriously at that moment, I became really irritated. The Middle Eastern gentleman at this moment got the picture and understood what was happening. He laughed and said why all these questions. Listen I have to run, my flight is in 10 minutes. In a flash, he was gone. The voice of the ticket attendant bolted me back to reality. How are you madam and where are flying to today? To London I said. When are you due back? In about a week's time, I said. Great, have a good flight. Thank you I said. And walked into line with many others waiting to pass through security.

Oh my, what just happened to me out there? Lord, I hope people don't look at me this same way for some other reasons. This is dreadful. It must really feel like the world is against you. Rather, more like traveling with a Nigerian passport. For the most part, you don't feel any different from the Middle Eastern gentleman with a Nigerian passport.