When I was a DA, I was either prohibited or discouraged from stating the race or ethnicity of a suspect.  It was even written in either my Office’s or Division’s guidelines.  I can see why this practice was implemented and also its drawbacks.  I’ve carried this practice (mostly) over to my writing.  I almost never explicitly identify the race or ethnicity of anyone.  It may be guessable at times but that’s not how I was trained or how I roll.  People are people and until they grow an extra appendage, it should stay that way.  But race matters.  And not necessarily in the way you would think it does.  But I don’t want to think too hard on that as my daughter used to say when she was small – it hurts my head or in Spanish me duele mi cabeza.

This one is about making a proper response.

In Boston, I was at Trader Joe’s when someone not Asian told me in no uncertain terms to know my place.  A bit taken aback but also not really, I hesitated before saying “What the fuck did you say, motuerfucker?” as I glared at him.  The look of fear in his eyes as he backed off to look for his two buck chuck – that was priceless.  He was likely used to Asians saying nothing and backing down.  Wrong one.

My faith teaches us to turn the other cheek at offenses but I also see how this principle has been used to hide cowardice.  There are also exceptions to every rule (I think).  In this case, he’d think twice before talking down again to anyone.  

I also picked this up recently.  In the Bible, God tells one of His prophets, Samuel, if not to outright lie, at least to misdirect.  Displeased and disappointed with the performance and character of Israel’s first king, Saul, God tells Samuel to anoint the future king, David.  To which Samuel responds – are you kidding me?  When Saul finds out, I’ll soon be missing more than an appendage.  What do I tell Saul?  So God isn’t a fool.  He tells Samuel – just say you’re gonna make a sacrifice but secretly visit David’s home.  Whether this all happened pre-Mossad equivalent, I don’t know but it works.  David becomes Israel’s greatest ruler.  My detective friend said he was something.

This principle applies universally.  The response can and must vary.  Sometimes the unconventional is what it is and at others it is conventional.  The converse is also true.  There’s an ancient Chinese stratagem that goes – Resurrect a corpse to enliven a soul.  It refers to taking something considered old, obsolete, or outdated and using it in a modern setting.  It then appears new.  Think about it – you can see this principle in music, movies, fashion, even cell phone design.  And a ton of other examples.

I’ll tell you this though.  I don’t regret what I did at Trader Joe’s.  I learned that as an immigrant kid.  It has saved my hide on several occasions and with humility, probably others too.