JULY 22, 1971 This morning on Hunter Street, I passed a…
““JULY 22, 1971 This morning on Hunter Street, I passed a black woman at the bus stop. She was simply dressed in a green-and-white checked shirtwaist dress. It was a little too big and little bit too long, but not really sloppy. It had a little fabric-covered belt to match, too. But on top of her head was a huge, platinum blond wig. It was curled and flipped and teased and in general fixed to look as hideous as possible. It wasn’t even pulled down very far. It was just sitting there like it was a bird who had decided to light there and visit with her for a while. She had a very serious expression and she was looking down the street intently for the bus. The wig was looking, too, but I don’t think it was looking for the bus. It looked like it had had a hard night and would welcome an Alka Seltzer.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Appearances can mask deeper struggles; empathy requires looking beyond the surface.
In simple terms: People hide pain behind outward looks.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper understanding.
Themes
appearance
identity
empathy
judgment
Mood
empathetic
curious
Type
narrative
reflective
When to use this quote
- daily interactions
- public spaces
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
psychology
social perception
human dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you respond to unexpected appearances?
- What assumptions do we make about others?
A Different Perspective
Judgment can be harsh without context.