False Empire

“Where’s your card little lady?”

“It ran dry. I swear I’m not being shady.”

“So sad. Come here for your ticket.”

Bully cops I’ll tell you where to stick it.

“Leave her be she’s a baby.”

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Some limerick…

Two cops bullies had an eighth grader pulled aside on her way to school. She attends the same school, HVA, my kids do in Harlem.

Anyways, tjese two brace NY’s finest, were protecting the city from a kid going through the door instead of swiping her card. They are heros and the things true inspiration is made of.

The girl was so scared. My kids go past them and I trail behind a bit fighting the urge to mind my own business. My urge wins. This girl is so young and so scared and I am a man who hates exploitation and bullies. I use my white male privilege and get involved.

“Excuse me. Her school metro card renews tomorrow,” I lie. “She’s on her way to school. She is a child.”

They both look at me then back to the girl. They wave her on and call me sir.

The girl and I catch up to my kids.

“Your kids go to HVA right?”

“Yep.”

“O see you guys all the time. Thank you.”

“They should be ashamed of themselves for this. This city has real needs and those cops up there messing with people who may or may not be able to afford a swipe is exactly why people hate them. They oppress the poor. They are a lame mafia. You ever see me out here I have you back.”

Everyone around starts chiming in and we all have a NYer’s moment of grips and complaints about harsh realities. We all laugh. Then get on the subway and go about our days.

My son asks me, “What did the girl do wrong?”

“The cops committed the only crime, son.”

True story. I added flowers to the real exchange.

IH