Part 2
That evening, to ease some of the tension, we took an stroll in our neighborhood and stopped at the local candy store to buy the children some ice cream. We’d done this many times before.
It was so quiet on the street, and more so in that store. The owners were a Middle East family who had been there for at least 2 or 3 years. We’d talked to the men and sons many times in the past.
That night there was an oppressive silence. The shopkeepers were as fear-filled as the rest of us, perhaps more. They told me how almost no one had entered the shop all day. No one. They knew that now some of their neighbors viewed them as the enemy.
We talked to them for a bit. My wife and I had been raised to judge people, not races, religions, or cultures. We were teaching our children the same lesson. That day was testing us all. I could feel it. We all could.
Finally we went home, two of our children with ice cream goodies in their hands, wishing the third had been there too. At the house we put some absolute nonsense on the TV to relieve the tension even more, and give some laughter to the children. You can’t beat a marathon of Get Smart episodes for a welcomed blanket of absurdity.
— End of Part 2 —
About Alex Simmons Says
Alex Simmons is an award-winning freelance writer, comic book creator, playwright, teaching artist, and educational consultant. He’s written for Disney Books, Penguin Press, Simon and Schuster, Marvel, DC, and Archie Comics. Simmons is the creator of the acclaimed adventure comic book series, Blackjack. As a teaching artist, Simmons has created and taught creative arts workshops for students and educators in the US, Europe, West Indies, and Africa.
Simmons has served on panels and delivered lectures on children’s entertainment mediums, as well as empowering young people through the arts. Simmons founded the annual family event, Kids Comic Con, as well as three comic arts exhibits, which have traveled abroad. He is currently developing a comics and creative arts program for children all over the world.
During the past 35 years, Simmons has participated as a member of arts and education boards for several New York State nonprofit organizations, as well as one in Nigeria.
As a teaching artist Simmons has worked with youth through the Bronx Community College, the Christopher Barron Live Life Foundation, Apollo Theater In-School Arts Program, Henkel McCoy, Upward Bound, New York Council on the Arts, Children’s Art Carnival, Wings Academy, and NYU Creative Arts Team, to name a few.
He has been a panelist at many literacy and arts events, and he has been a guest speaker at numerous colleges and educational institutions here and abroad.
Finally we went home, two of our children with ice cream goodies in their hands, wishing the third had been there too. At the house we put some absolute nonsense on the TV to relieve the tension even more, and give some laughter to the children. You can’t beat a marathon of Get Smart episodes for a welcomed blanket of absurdity.
SimmonsHereAndNow 