NO THUMBS

Brief conversation with idiot-hick on the topic of Palestine/Palestinians

(The following took place somewhere in Upstate New York in March 2011)

Not Moi: “What’s that button mean?” (pointing at Palestinian flag button on my jacket)

Moi: “It’s the Palestinian flag.”

Not Moi: “What’s that?”

Moi: “Palestinians…The people of Palestine. I wear it to show my support for the Palestinian people.”

Not Moi: “You mean towelheads? You don’t mean towelheads do you?”

Moi: (whilst patting with my left hand on his shoulder sarcastically) “Don’t say that man. It makes you sound really ignorant. Really.”

Not Moi: “Well they do wear towels on their heads. All of em’, no?”

Moi: (pausing first) “Are you serious? Just stop man. Just stop.”

Not Moi: “Ok, not towelheads. But you’re talking about those darker people right? Those people all have darker skin.”

*And while trying to contain myself, clenching both my fists, waiting for the context to change so I could physically remove myself from the presence of this ignorant fucking buffoon, I glanced but for only a moment down at his hands that were held at his sides---only for a quick moment. Yup. Just as I had suspected. NO THUMBS.