Caffeinated Chronicles: State of Grace @ Dirty Kroger

Posted: February 20th, 2015 | Filed under: Community, Culture | No Comments »

Should you happen to know or cross paths in the Lower Clifton area with a thirtysomething African American woman with short cropped hair, a pierced nose, wearing a black Carhartt jacket, bless her and wish her a good day.

Her name is Cynthia.

I stopped by the DK (Dirty Kroger) this Friday afternoon, needing only one item.

I’d run out Splenda.

I was behind Cynthia in the checkout line. I’d never met nor seen her before that moment.

As she was paying, I set my box of sweetener on the counter.

She nodded to me. Then, turned to the clerk, and said, “I’ll pay for the man’s Splenda.”

Stunned at such a gracious gesture, I hemmed and hawed as one does when adequate emotions can’t be expressed.

“That’s not necessary.

“How very kind, how very sweet of you.”

Eventually, “God bless you.”

After getting her name, I offered to help her with her bags. She would have none of it. “I’m fine, thanks.”

Off she walked . . . in a state of absolute grace.

* * * * *

Before posting this, I argued with myself, whether to include Cynthia’s race when describing her.

My default is to never mention somebody’s race.

Yet, my instincts tell me it’s important to do so here.

Racial tensions simmer in contemporary America. We are all wary, whether we wish to admit it or not.

So, if this small but significant moment, which I surely intend to pay forward, can add even a smidge of understanding to the racial dynamic, it might blossom to something larger.

Long may you run, Cynthia, long may you run.

 

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