The Black Man and Kindness reveals how easily unexamined bias distorts our perception of everyday encounters. When we replace suspicion with genuine empathy, quiet generosity instantly breaks down cultural barriers. This moving story by Rosa Montero reminds us that small acts of goodwill can quickly heal the divides between us.
“We are at the restaurant of a German University. A red-haired student, and undeniably German, takes her tray and sits down at her table.
She then realises she has forgotten her cutlery and gets up again to pick it up.
Coming back, she sees with astonishment that a black man, possibly sub-Saharian by his appearance, is sitting there and is eating from her tray.
Straightaway, the young woman feels lost and stressed. But immediately changes her thought and presumes that the African is not familiar with European customs concerning private property and privacy.
She also takes into consideration that perhaps he does not have enough money to pay for his meal.
In any case, she decides to sit in front of the guy and to smile at him in a friendly manner.
The African responds with another dazzling smile.
The German girl starts to help herself – sharing the food with the black man with genuine pleasure and courtesy.
And thus, he took the salad, she ate the soup, both took their share of the stew, one took care of the yoghurt and the other of the piece of fruit.
All this, peppered with numerous refined smiles – timid from the man and smoothly, encouraging and kind by the girl.
They eat up their lunch.
The German girl gets up to get a coffee.
And it is then that she discovers, on the table behind the black man, her coat placed on the back of a chair and her food tray untouched.
I dedicate this charming story – furthermore an authentic one – to all who are wary of immigrants and consider them as inferior individuals.
To all these people, who with the best of intentions, observe them condescendingly and with paternalism.”
Note: The story was written by the acclaimed Spanish journalist and novelist Rosa Montero.
It was originally published as a column/essay in El País (and later adapted into various collections and blogs) detailing a real-life incident on a train involving non-verbal kindness, assumptions, and human connection across racial and social lines.
More at https://paulocoelhoblog.com/
Image: A postage stamp issued by Nigeria in 1979 to commemorate the International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.