Racial Vignette on a Sunny Fall Day

Sun-soaked, tummy filled with crunchy cranberry Gorgonzola salad, a few students were sitting on the bench outside a dorm. A person left the bench, then a dorm mate asked whether she was coming back, whether she could sit on the bench and proceeded to walk towards it.

"No, you're not allowed to sit on the bench," her friend blurted out.

My first thought was that the girl who was mid-way to the bench is African American. I know it wasn't the case and just a joke. She knew, too, but she added, "For two seconds, I thought you said it because I'm black."

Her friend responded, "You've been saying that a lot lately."

*shrugs, awkward laughter*