You may know me as a jokester, a smartass, a funny kinda guy, but you probably also know me as the person can get, shall I say, a wee bit passionate about certain ideas and things that happen.
Well right now my blood is boiling. I just witnessed someone be treated as less than a human being. Now, while I can usually tolerate all sorts of behavior, in this case I can't and I won't. So what did I see? I saw a person who barely speaks English behind the counter of a fast food joint. In front of me in line was a man who was far too joyous to be getting a meal deal. He was, for lack of a better phrase, 'special needs'. This young man placed his order (when I say young man, he could have been anywhere from 18-24) and took his receipt. I placed my order, got my food and sat down. I noticed that this guy hadn't gotten his food, and was about to ask him if he needed any help. (Sidenote, he didn't have Downs Syndrome, just 'mildly' [I hate that term] retarded) Before I got get my fat ass off of my chair he walked up to the counter and politely asked, "Excuse me, did I miss my order" in the kind of tone that would make you well up. That tubby-barely-english-speaking pile of goo (yup, it's comin') snapped at him and I think told him to wait. By now I had already turned away from this, but I heard it. And whatever reaction I had my two boothmates saw it in my eyes and apparently my head turned red.
The kid said, "sorry, it must be a mistake".
I told myself that if she snapped at him again I was going to be the loud, obnoxious, overprotective honky that I'm quite capable of being. So now I sit here stewing. Mad that nothing else happened, mad that this guy who was overjoyed at the thought of Gawdawful food had his day ruined, and even moreso-I'm pissed at myself for not standing up immediately. I usually wait, but sometimes there is a time to pounce. I'm thinking now, in hindsight, that here was one of those moments.
I know I say the word 'retarded' all the time. I know for certain that I have one friend who despises it when I say it. Well maybe I found something out. I was planning on giving up fast food and potentially facebook for Lent. Maybe I can add that word to my list. Maybe for 40 days I can stop saying that word. I highly doubt it, but it might be worth a shot. Or better than that-what if I just start to announce my presence with authority every time someone decides to be a douche to someone who isn't equipped to handle it? How about that? At my height, weight, and overall ugliness, I'm pretty sure I can stop some folks from being world class assholes to their fellow man.
Feel free to tell your friends, and put the d-bags on notice-I'm mad, and that ain't good for folks who treat others wrong just because they think they can get away with it. Anyone got a good lawyer on speed dial? I have a funny feeling I'm going to need it.
And for the guy for whom I didn't jump up and help you out, wherever you are-I'm sorry. I'll do my best to make sure it never happens again.
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