I am staring at my candle, entranced by its pretty flame when I hear a man’s British accent beside me.
Cop: “So I just wanna know… what is this vigil for?”
Me: “It’s the Purple Shirt Day. To end homophobia and bullying.”
Cop: “Okay. And the vigil…”
Me: “It’s to remember those who took their lives because of homophobic bullying in schools.”
Cop: “Oh, so, like, hate crimes and shit?”
Me: “Uh… yeah…?” [confusion over why he’s talking about hate crimes all of a sudden]
Cop: “Okay. Thanks.”
Me: “No prob.”
He walks away.
I wasn’t sure whether or not to feel anything when he said “hate crimes and shit” and I don’t think he meant it offensively. I do think, especially for a law enforcer, that it wasn’t the best choice of words to use, especially at a vigil, but at the same time, I’m not flabberghasted or anything.
What do you think?
aaron's random musings 
Cuz yknow, vigils are always a source of public misdemeanors waiting to happen
probably not the best phrase to use, :p I think he was thinking more people who’ve been victims of hate crimes and were murdered/man-slaughtered.