I know him from the streets. He stops in front of the police station, the site of a protest last night. The area is full of signs and makeshift memorials to George Floyd and others. He stops at the base of the steps and looks up at me, tugging at his hat which is something he does, and states, 'There's nothing funny anymore. Nothin'.'
A police officer approaches the steps, says good morning and the man repeats his comment. The officer nods his head politely responding to the comment. So do I. But in that split second we were together in a tiny, fragile moment of civility.
The officer enters the building. The man walks around the corner.