Car Bomb
Stranded stranger seeks help. Should he get it?45 total reviews
Comment from Heather Knight
I have enjoyed your story very much, Andre. You did a good thing.
This is a tough thing to have to say:so that I never have to ask strangers for help on the road and get mistaken for a carjacker or a rapist because of the color of my skin.
What's wrong with the world?
Thanks for sharing and caring.
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2017
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I have enjoyed your story very much, Andre. You did a good thing.
This is a tough thing to have to say:so that I never have to ask strangers for help on the road and get mistaken for a carjacker or a rapist because of the color of my skin.
What's wrong with the world?
Thanks for sharing and caring.
Comment Written 28-Aug-2017
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2017
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Yes, Maria, I am saddened that people can be mistaken for criminals because of the color of their skin but am glad I overcame my fears in this incident. Thank you for your review.
Comment from mediumhead
What a fantastic story, thanks for A great read. It is sad that we have to be so careful before helping others. I love the imagery that this story creates I went on this journey too. Thank you.
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2017
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What a fantastic story, thanks for A great read. It is sad that we have to be so careful before helping others. I love the imagery that this story creates I went on this journey too. Thank you.
Comment Written 28-Aug-2017
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2017
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Yes, mediumhead, many reviewers remarked on the sadness that we have to think carefully before helping or being helped by others. I am glad you enjoyed this journey with me. Thank you for your review.
Comment from royowen
I guess there is much racial tension in the US. We have a fair degree of mixed races here in Australia, although I can say we don't seem to have the same racial tension as in the US. When my daughter lived in NY for four years, we visited quite often...every year. My younger daughter cried when witnessing the race riots in the US, she said, "Why are they so mean to one another!" It's so sad that people can't do an act of kindness, without fearing for their lives. Well done, good writing Andre', good luck, blessings, Roy
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2017
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I guess there is much racial tension in the US. We have a fair degree of mixed races here in Australia, although I can say we don't seem to have the same racial tension as in the US. When my daughter lived in NY for four years, we visited quite often...every year. My younger daughter cried when witnessing the race riots in the US, she said, "Why are they so mean to one another!" It's so sad that people can't do an act of kindness, without fearing for their lives. Well done, good writing Andre', good luck, blessings, Roy
Comment Written 28-Aug-2017
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2017
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Yes, Roy, it's sad and humiliating that people can't do an act of kindness or ask for help without fearing for their lives. My story has touched many reviewers like you who live in Australia. I wrote a story that speaks to our times of racial tension not only in the US but around the world. Thank you for your review.
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Well done Andre'
Comment from Mabaker
That was a lovely, sad story. Lovely because it showed honesty displayed in such a sad way, Sad because it showed loveliness in an honest way. I live in Australia, and am white. We have our indigenous people, and for many years they were treated badly, mainly slurs, mostly drunkenness, a bit of dope. Some white police were cruel when they got them in their cells. Then the 'blackfella' got smart Lawyers, who went to bat for them, and they became, our First People. They claimed land rights and took great swathes of prime land and a lot of rich older white Australians became poor fast. Regards Mabaker
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2017
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That was a lovely, sad story. Lovely because it showed honesty displayed in such a sad way, Sad because it showed loveliness in an honest way. I live in Australia, and am white. We have our indigenous people, and for many years they were treated badly, mainly slurs, mostly drunkenness, a bit of dope. Some white police were cruel when they got them in their cells. Then the 'blackfella' got smart Lawyers, who went to bat for them, and they became, our First People. They claimed land rights and took great swathes of prime land and a lot of rich older white Australians became poor fast. Regards Mabaker
Comment Written 28-Aug-2017
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2017
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Oh, thank you, Mabaker, for your generous, thoughtful review. I am glad my story resonated with the experiences of the First People. Yes, mine is a lovely and sad story. Thanks again.
Comment from nomi338
I commend you my brother. I don't remember your feelings about God and religion in general, but it has been written that when you perform an unselfish act of kindness for a fellow human, you actually do God a favor. Most people remember the story of the good Samaritan. In this Bible story, a Samaritan comes across a Jewish victim of assault and tends to his wounds, takes him to an Inn and pays in advance for his care. The Jewish man had been bypassed by fellow Jews, some were even clergymen. During this time Samaritans were treated the way some blacks are treated by some whites, but it did not matter. This was an inspiring and well written piece. Congratulations.
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2017
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I commend you my brother. I don't remember your feelings about God and religion in general, but it has been written that when you perform an unselfish act of kindness for a fellow human, you actually do God a favor. Most people remember the story of the good Samaritan. In this Bible story, a Samaritan comes across a Jewish victim of assault and tends to his wounds, takes him to an Inn and pays in advance for his care. The Jewish man had been bypassed by fellow Jews, some were even clergymen. During this time Samaritans were treated the way some blacks are treated by some whites, but it did not matter. This was an inspiring and well written piece. Congratulations.
Comment Written 28-Aug-2017
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2017
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Thank you, nomi338, for your generous, six star review of my "inspiring and well written piece." I am glad my story touched you.
Comment from Mary Wakeford
My goodness, Andre. Hire I've missed reading your heart. This is a wonderfully told encounter that would garner a different attitude if the man needing help was white and driving a Beemer. Life is so unfair.
This is told with such detail, and flooded with fear compromised by a willing heart to help.
I felt for both of you as I read this, and wondered how I would have responded to Gabino's plea had I been in your situation.
The way you drive history of the road, and the volatile nature of gasoline sloshing on the return drive was amazingly intertwined.
This held my attention from the opening sentence.
Bravo!
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2017
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My goodness, Andre. Hire I've missed reading your heart. This is a wonderfully told encounter that would garner a different attitude if the man needing help was white and driving a Beemer. Life is so unfair.
This is told with such detail, and flooded with fear compromised by a willing heart to help.
I felt for both of you as I read this, and wondered how I would have responded to Gabino's plea had I been in your situation.
The way you drive history of the road, and the volatile nature of gasoline sloshing on the return drive was amazingly intertwined.
This held my attention from the opening sentence.
Bravo!
Comment Written 28-Aug-2017
reply by the author on 28-Aug-2017
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Yes, Mary, I wonder what I would have done if the circumstances or skin color had been different. This is a complex question many people answer in their lives everyday. Yes, while life can be unfair sometimes, we all must struggle and strive to bring out the best in ourselves and each other. I still remember Anne Frank's quote: "Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart."
Thank you for your generous, six star review.
Comment from artemis53
"I drove along the frontage road at the pace I had followed my uncle's hearse at the cemetery the previous week." What a highly appropriate description. I thank you for this story. We are bombarded by the worst in the world and are never told the stories of the best which is heartbreaking. We lose so much by not countering the good with the bad that we lose our Faith and light. I gave up much of my fear some time ago but held onto caution. To me, it's about the study of others that brings the gift and strength of 'Intuition.'
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2017
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"I drove along the frontage road at the pace I had followed my uncle's hearse at the cemetery the previous week." What a highly appropriate description. I thank you for this story. We are bombarded by the worst in the world and are never told the stories of the best which is heartbreaking. We lose so much by not countering the good with the bad that we lose our Faith and light. I gave up much of my fear some time ago but held onto caution. To me, it's about the study of others that brings the gift and strength of 'Intuition.'
Comment Written 27-Aug-2017
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2017
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Oh, thank you, artemis53, for your generous review of my story about love overcoming fear. We need more stories like this right now. Thanks again.
Comment from DR DIP
What a wonderful story Andre, thanks for sharing with me. I totally understand your apprehension to help everyone cannot be over careful when strangers offer assistance these days. I am glad it all worked out and he was grateful and thankful for what you did.
dip
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2017
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What a wonderful story Andre, thanks for sharing with me. I totally understand your apprehension to help everyone cannot be over careful when strangers offer assistance these days. I am glad it all worked out and he was grateful and thankful for what you did.
dip
Comment Written 27-Aug-2017
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2017
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Oh, thank you, Dip, for your generous review. I am glad things turned out well for the both of us, and that I did what I did despite the risk to me.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Andre,
You told your story well. I was engaged from start to finish reading it. I do remember Renisha McBride & how she was shot while she was just asking for help. I am so sorry that you feel as you do about how that has influenced your life [I know you have every right to feel that way since white America has decided that [I know I am blunt here, but I don't know how else to say it].
I could sense your apprehension in your decision to help the stranded man.
Your story flows well, good pacing, I like the thoughts you interjected, & the positive outcome.
Best wishes in the contest. Jan
Oakland hills road--is this the name of the road & needs capital letters-->Oakland Hills Road
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2017
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Andre,
You told your story well. I was engaged from start to finish reading it. I do remember Renisha McBride & how she was shot while she was just asking for help. I am so sorry that you feel as you do about how that has influenced your life [I know you have every right to feel that way since white America has decided that [I know I am blunt here, but I don't know how else to say it].
I could sense your apprehension in your decision to help the stranded man.
Your story flows well, good pacing, I like the thoughts you interjected, & the positive outcome.
Best wishes in the contest. Jan
Oakland hills road--is this the name of the road & needs capital letters-->Oakland Hills Road
Comment Written 27-Aug-2017
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2017
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Thank you, Jan, for your generous, six star review. Yes, Renisha McBride haunts me. I remember once finding a wallet on the ground. Even though the owner lived several blocks away, I turned the wallet in to the police rather than knock on the owner's door and risk getting shot like McBride. The latest incident is an apprehensive story which had a positive outcome.
The actual road's name is Lincoln Avenue, but I could capitalize Hills because it is part of the name Oakland Hills.
Thanks also for wishing me the best in the contest.
Comment from AnnieDawn
Yes he should get it and I am glad that he got it. Help that is. I am going to assume that the story is true but even if it is not it is well told and I very much enjoyed reading it.
I have one suggestion which I am not sure is an error or not.
My mouth flew open. In a split second, a gaped at the man and sized him up.('a' gaped or should it be 'I' gaped at the man)
Great story. and should make an interesting addition to a book.
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2017
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Yes he should get it and I am glad that he got it. Help that is. I am going to assume that the story is true but even if it is not it is well told and I very much enjoyed reading it.
I have one suggestion which I am not sure is an error or not.
My mouth flew open. In a split second, a gaped at the man and sized him up.('a' gaped or should it be 'I' gaped at the man)
Great story. and should make an interesting addition to a book.
Comment Written 27-Aug-2017
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2017
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Oh, thank you, AnnieDawn, for your generous review and correction. Yes, this is a true story that happened last week. I am glad I helped the man. Thank you for your compliments and encouragement.