Don't know how aware you Americans are of events in London today - but this is something you should perhaps be aware of!
Despite my Liberal / Socialist, or rather whatever opinions and views - today I have a confession to make about todays little show of Prejudice+paranoia by yours truely. Sitting on the train on the way back from work - I shared the carriage with a young Asian man - we both have our personal stereos on - despite the volume of my music I become aware that he being quite vocal - I start to wonder is he just singing or is this something more sinister (A prayer or chant perhaps) as he starts to rock his head back and forth. The train goes through at least 4 stops before anyone else gets into this carriage and in the meantime my tired mind is thinking: What exactly am I face to face with here? Is this someone just enjoying their music as I am? He looks some what nervous - perhaps all too aware of my eyes being on him - Now seriously what if he is a terrorist! Certainly he does seem to be following those stereotypes. I reason the worst case scenerio - he is a terrorist and surmise that for the moment the situation is in my hands because the payoff of taking just me (And perhaps a few others) out - would not be worthwhile therefore there is a window of opportunity. I try and establish eye contact which I succeed in doing on a number of occasions on this journey making sure this is never for more than 3 seconds. As the train gets closer into the centre of town the carriage's population increases in a manner which seems to serve as a countdown towards detonation and with this my approach changes: I have now lost my resolve to ask him - If he is alright - the opportunity for this kind of interaction has gone - My stategy is now based around making sure that if he is a terrorist - he is going to be aware of the path he has chosen - some young school children get on - I re-establish eye contact and deliberately avert my gaze towards them and then look back at him - now lets see if that has made any difference - it still looks like he could be praying (But then again don't we all?) his projection has not altered - and yet somehow he shows uncertainty. Maybe he has just had a bad day at work (Mine wasn't great) - as I am feeling overly tired - I think of the clothes he is wearing - he doesn't look clean but then again I know that I am likely to be stinking to high heaven myself - like me - here is a working man - I reason now that if I was going to commit suicide in the name of religon - maybe I would wish to be clean as I did it - Perhaps it is my personal vanity which feels that this isn't the way I would choose to approach my creator - to me this would be a mark of disrespect. The train pulls up at the next stop - wishful thinking and the benefit of my own doubt has now taken centre stage. Some white builders now getting on and I am thinking about how HIS unorthodox tube etiquette may offend or get him into trouble - I have started to soothe - I am now trying to convey to him that it isn't me but the other people on the train who may get upset, offended or frightened. My stop comes and I leave the train looking over my shoulder. Thank You Bush - Thank You Blair - BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING I APOLOGISE TO THAT STRANGER!
