On the street where you live

It was about 10:30 am in Forest Hills, New York. I was walking to the train and realized I forgot something at home. As I was reaching the corner, I passed a man who was walking to cross the street perpendicular to where I was headed. I walked in front of him, but passed by about 3-4 feet. He started yelling at me to learn my manners and say "Excuse me" or I should go back to Beijing. I didn't respond and he started yelling "You stupid chink, I'm telling you to go back to Beijing."

It was the first time in my adult life I had ever faced prejudice, but it is even more soul crushing when it happens on the street you live on. I kept my head down and walked past my house because I didn't want the guy to know where I lived.