the inconvenience of dissent (12/7/14)

Thursday night I was at work until 7 and by the time I got to Brooklyn I was so exhausted I didn't even stop to pick up something for dinner. I would be content to have saltines and Dr. Pepper if it would get me to my warm, dry apartment that much sooner. I was completely immersed in my book while I waited for the B38 in downtown Brooklyn, and didn't notice I'd been waiting for over 20 minutes.

No buses had stopped and there were at least 50 people waiting. Suddenly two young black men walked quickly by and said to no one in particular: "Ain't no more buses. They blocking the bridge." The question Who's blocking the bridge? had barely formed in my mind when I heard a woman say there were protests about the Eric Garner decision all over the city, including one on Fulton Street. As though one body, we all turned to look toward Fulton Mall. I could only make out a traffic jam and police car lights. I decided to take the G train.

After I got home and walked Milo, I tuned in to CNN for the full story. Within minutes, Milo and I were again outside, this time headed toward Flatbush Avenue to join the march. I was pleased to see such ethnic diversity among the marchers and thought maybe there is hope for these entitled Millennials after all.

We didn't stay long. It wasn't because of the police presence. The officers I encountered weren't at all threatening. I left because I was concerned about Milo being cold and in such a big crowd, and while that's true, it feels awfully convenient. I feel somewhat ashamed, leaving the heavy lifting to others because my puppy dog might be frightened, but you do what you can, when you can.