Don’t judge a book by its cover

Yesterday I got on the number 18 to go to school. As usual for that time of the day it was absolutely packed. I was dressed in my most ‘thug’-like clothes: baggy jeans, giant hoody and jacket, big lug boots, backwards ball cap with my big headphones blaring rap music. I was also carrying my really heavy backpack and even bigger gym bag across my shoulder. To get my bus pass I had to sling my backpack around off one shoulder and quickly hurry into the crowd of people to find a place to stand. I was clearly struggling trying to get my pack back on, nearly falling over when you, an older woman about 60 or 70 sitting down beside me reached up and helped pull my backpack back over my shoulder. What surprised me about this was the fact that I didn’t look like an approachable person whatsoever, in fact, if I were you I would have been completely intimidated by me. You continued to comment on how heavy my bags were and asked what I was studying. After I told you that I was majoring in Political Science you continued to have an in-depth conversation with me about your feelings on politics and I’m really glad that you did. You being an older woman, I admittedly had some preconceptions about your views but you really surprised me and your small act of kindness made my day. You rock, thank you so much! —Swaggin’ Poli-Sci Girl

This article appears in Nov 22-28, 2012.