The ad said iMac for sale, five hundred dollars.
I decided to call and see if it was still available.
“Yes, I still have it.”
“Can I come and look at it?”
“I’ll see you there in an hour.”
My old computer was out of memory and I needed something that would run a bit faster and give me the features that I wanted.
It was time to upgrade but my wallet only allowed me to buy a used computer.
Craig’s list is often used by people who want to sell property. You can find all kinds of items ranging from camping equipment to escort services. I was a bit leery of using this service because I had known of stolen items being sold by people in need of quick money.
It was only a week before that I had left my truck unlocked while I was doing a project in a private community. I had been doing work here for over five years so I thought I knew this to be a safe area.
When I came out later to pack up and go home, I noticed the glove box was open and the center console items were scattered about.
Someone decided that my small iPod was valuable and it was missing.
When I arrived home I checked Craig’s list and found an iPod description that matched my iPod.
I decided that a forty-nine dollar iPod was not worth confronting the possible thief.
With these thoughts in my mind I drove to the location to see the used computer.
I watched as a black Humvee drove up and parked. Two young men got out each wearing what looked like gang clothes and they were heavily tattooed. They were carrying a computer.
I got out of my truck, approached them in the parking lot, and announced that I was the prospective buyer. I asked if this computer was stolen.
One of the young men stated; “Do you think that because of the way I look and dress, that I am a thief?”
I said, “Yes.”
“Let me tell you something,” he said.
“My wife and I just had our infant son die. It has caused a great hardship on our marriage. I am going through a divorce and I need this money to help my wife. The car belongs to my father who owns a tattoo shop here in town. I work with him learning his trade. I don’t want to sell my computer but I need the extra money.”
I felt foolish and told him I would like to buy the computer. We exchanged money and computer and I left feeling disappointed in myself because I had judged him wrongly. I thought that because of the way he looked, the car he drove, the internet ad and my own recent experience.
I checked out his story later and it made me feel even more ashamed that I had stereotyped him as a thief.
I am careful now when I see someone who is different. We are all so different and within us we carry the wounds and scars of a difficult journey. Sometimes those experiences wear a person down and it shows.
We walk paths that are unique to us and no one else.
It is not my place to judge anyone. I am careful not to allow the prejudice of the world to creep into my life.
I may not always succeed but whenever I see a black Humvee driving down the road I am reminded that not everything is as it seems.
