First the red and blue flashing lights.
Then the shrill siren blurp.
Then saying "Fuck!"
Then looking at the speedometer.
Then lifting my foot off the gas.
Then realizing I wasn't speeding.
Then trying to figure out what I did.
Then looking for a place to pull over on a narrow road with no shoulder.
Then finally pulling into a dark dead end street.
Then a flashlight shining in my eyes.
Then a request for my license and registration.
Then the news that I ran a stop sign.
Then a sheepish "I'm sorry."
Then a rather polite conversation about following the laws.
Then a mini lecture and a request to be more careful.
Then a return of my documents and a pleasant "have a good night."
Then a grateful sigh that I didn't get a ticket.
Then appreciation that my insurance rates wouldn't go up.
Never an officer harassing me.
Never an officer getting aggressive with me.
Never an officer threatening me.
Never an officer suspecting me of a crime.
Never an officer pointing his gun at me.
Never an officer shooting me.
Never an officer killing me.
Always recognizing inequity.
Always recognizing hypocrisy.
Always recognizing racism.
Always recognizing my White privilege.
Always challenging White folks to recognize their White privilege too.