A Moment of Unity on the Bus

The frosty twilight enveloped me as I emerged from the subway and onto the bus. Fortunately, a seat in the back beckoned me. We sped past McDonald's Avenue and soon, Ocean Parkway loomed into view. The driver brought the bus to a halt, and suddenly I felt the weight of someone's head resting on my shoulder. Slowly, I looked to my right and saw a young African-American school boy, sleeping soundly.

Opposite us stood several other African-American teenagers who, having failed to secure a seat, watched us with a smile. My lips curved upwards, but I was careful not to disturb the peaceful slumber of the young boy on my shoulder.

In that moment, a fleeting thought flashed through my mind: "What if these kids think I'm something I'm not?" But then I remembered that I came from a country that defeated fascism and was raised with a deep sense of internationalism that transcends words. Besides, I am Jewish.

One of the teenagers across from me looked directly into my eyes and spoke: "You are a good man."

As we shared a brief, meaningful moment, I felt a warmth inside me that came from a sense of unity, a feeling that all of us on that bus were simply human beings, regardless of our race, religion, or nationality. As the bus continued its journey, I found myself part of this vibrant, bustling city, where diversity was the very lifeblood that brought us all together.