In Search of Chicken Wings
As a college student taking up a course in community development, I am taught that there’s a wall between the rich and the poor that needs breaching. In the process, I was exposed to miserable conditions of the poor people. It was necessary in order to vanish our unfair prejudices against the poor.
In contrast, my ongoing internship in Washington D.C. has exposed me to a luxurious existence within the secure Capitol Hill. Since it is where the most powerful people of the United States and the world congregate, the security of the place is beyond question.
One Thursday night, I decided to step out of this secure existence of mine for a bite of my favourite chicken wing. It probably was a half-thought decision that I would soon regret, but I thought being in my “natural habitat” for a while was a good idea.
Don’t get me wrong. I love being in Washington D.C. My stint here is a one-in-a-million opportunity that other young people can only dream of. But still, I can’t help but feel I was cut off from my world where the vulnerable and the marginalized people are.
I have heard of the Chinese saying, “Be careful of what you wish for, you might get it.” But I’m getting ahead of my story. So that night, my co-intern Julianne and I craved from chicken wings and we decided to go out to find a store to buy some. We Googled the nearest chicken wings place and found "America's Best Wings" on Benning Road.
As my wont, I used the Google Streetview app to have a “feel” of the place. I felt a different feeling, but we decided to go for it, anyway. I admit I was nervous, especially since we had to wait to the bus that would take us to the far north eastern part of the city. When it finally arrived, we got in and tried to be comfortable. However, before arriving at our destination, I peered through the window and saw police cars making their distinct sound as cops push guy into their vehicle. There were curious spectators all around.
I felt a mounting fear inside me the moment we alighted the bus. Why am I here? I asked myself. I suddenly remembered stories I heard a few days ago about some interns like me being mugged in broad daylight in the very same area where I was.
We walked towards the Hechinger Mall in Carver Langston area. As we were walking inside the mall, I could hear my heart pleading, “Let’s go home, please!” But I tried to look brave. We finally found America's Best Wings and went in. While we Julianne and I were enjoying our cheap meal, an awkward-looking guy arrived. I could not explain it, but I felt scared to the point of being panicky. I decided to look busy to avoid the man’s gaze. Suddenly, I heard what to me seemed like a menacing voice talking to me, asking for some spare money. “I don’t have any,” I told him in haste.
The truth was I had some, only I couldn't get my wallet out in front of him. I was paralyzed with fear. Perhaps it a result of my traumatic experiences back in the streets of Manila. I was robbed of valuables several times over. I thought those experiences had made me braver and street smart. Obviously, it was not the case.
My self-image—a would-be social worker who can explore any place for any adventure or adversity without an iota of fear—started crumbling before my very eyes.
There was a time in my life when I felt totally unintimidated by anything. I walked alone in poor and dangerous parts of the Philippines and USA and lived to tell the tale. I braved the most notorious, crime-infested places in Manila to do volunteer work. I did the same in Columbus, Ohio last year, where I served free food to the homeless. I stayed for a month in a place where hearing gunshots was a norm and drug dens were all around.
That is why I am wondering where that brave entity is now? Is it now hiding in a basement somewhere to avoid any sort of trouble? Did my short exposure to the fancy Capitol Hill transform me to a faint-hearted domesticated animal that is afraid of the wild jungle beyond its secure walls? Have I become disconnected? Are these walls the makers of my fear?
Maybe I am just learning how to adjust to unexpected situations. I know I need to get my head straight and my wits ready all the time. There are times we need to be cautious and there’s time we need to be daring enough to brave the unknown. Otherwise, we can never reach our goal—whether that is a chicken wing or some other highly sought-after objective.
Jasna Caluya Nicolas
Creation Justice Ministries Intern
June 23, 2017
In contrast, my ongoing internship in Washington D.C. has exposed me to a luxurious existence within the secure Capitol Hill. Since it is where the most powerful people of the United States and the world congregate, the security of the place is beyond question.
One Thursday night, I decided to step out of this secure existence of mine for a bite of my favourite chicken wing. It probably was a half-thought decision that I would soon regret, but I thought being in my “natural habitat” for a while was a good idea.
Don’t get me wrong. I love being in Washington D.C. My stint here is a one-in-a-million opportunity that other young people can only dream of. But still, I can’t help but feel I was cut off from my world where the vulnerable and the marginalized people are.
I have heard of the Chinese saying, “Be careful of what you wish for, you might get it.” But I’m getting ahead of my story. So that night, my co-intern Julianne and I craved from chicken wings and we decided to go out to find a store to buy some. We Googled the nearest chicken wings place and found "America's Best Wings" on Benning Road.
As my wont, I used the Google Streetview app to have a “feel” of the place. I felt a different feeling, but we decided to go for it, anyway. I admit I was nervous, especially since we had to wait to the bus that would take us to the far north eastern part of the city. When it finally arrived, we got in and tried to be comfortable. However, before arriving at our destination, I peered through the window and saw police cars making their distinct sound as cops push guy into their vehicle. There were curious spectators all around.
I felt a mounting fear inside me the moment we alighted the bus. Why am I here? I asked myself. I suddenly remembered stories I heard a few days ago about some interns like me being mugged in broad daylight in the very same area where I was.
We walked towards the Hechinger Mall in Carver Langston area. As we were walking inside the mall, I could hear my heart pleading, “Let’s go home, please!” But I tried to look brave. We finally found America's Best Wings and went in. While we Julianne and I were enjoying our cheap meal, an awkward-looking guy arrived. I could not explain it, but I felt scared to the point of being panicky. I decided to look busy to avoid the man’s gaze. Suddenly, I heard what to me seemed like a menacing voice talking to me, asking for some spare money. “I don’t have any,” I told him in haste.
The truth was I had some, only I couldn't get my wallet out in front of him. I was paralyzed with fear. Perhaps it a result of my traumatic experiences back in the streets of Manila. I was robbed of valuables several times over. I thought those experiences had made me braver and street smart. Obviously, it was not the case.
My self-image—a would-be social worker who can explore any place for any adventure or adversity without an iota of fear—started crumbling before my very eyes.
There was a time in my life when I felt totally unintimidated by anything. I walked alone in poor and dangerous parts of the Philippines and USA and lived to tell the tale. I braved the most notorious, crime-infested places in Manila to do volunteer work. I did the same in Columbus, Ohio last year, where I served free food to the homeless. I stayed for a month in a place where hearing gunshots was a norm and drug dens were all around.
That is why I am wondering where that brave entity is now? Is it now hiding in a basement somewhere to avoid any sort of trouble? Did my short exposure to the fancy Capitol Hill transform me to a faint-hearted domesticated animal that is afraid of the wild jungle beyond its secure walls? Have I become disconnected? Are these walls the makers of my fear?
Maybe I am just learning how to adjust to unexpected situations. I know I need to get my head straight and my wits ready all the time. There are times we need to be cautious and there’s time we need to be daring enough to brave the unknown. Otherwise, we can never reach our goal—whether that is a chicken wing or some other highly sought-after objective.
Jasna Caluya Nicolas
Creation Justice Ministries Intern
June 23, 2017
Comments
Post a Comment