GRACE
A few months ago, I got pulled over by a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) officer for speeding on my way home on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. I was terrified due mostly to the thought of getting a ticket, but also, the thought of being killed in light of the many violent displays of policing over the last six years. "How could this happen to me? Why were you speeding? Now it's over. No more fun", were some of thoughts that dispersed through my mind as the officer approached my vehicle. The hazard lights blinked methodically as he checked over my license and registration. Tick Tock. It had been maybe 10-, 15- or 20-minutes. Tick Tock. "What's taking him so long? He's probably about to call for backup.", were the initial adrenaline raising notes being written in my head. And, as I thought, there were several other police vehicles approaching. It dawned on me to call someone, so I called one of my best friends to listen while the cops investigated me. The first officer suspected that I was under the influence even though I wasn't; nevertheless, he had the authority to put me through a standard DUI test. My body began to suddenly tremble. I cried in fear.
I got out of the vehicle while my best friend calmly listened. I proceeded to walk in a straight line and stand on one foot even though I was terrified. I did not know if I would make it home that night. I didn't know whether my body would be free of bullet wounds or abrasions. I didn't want my mother or sister or brother to get that phone call. I just didn't know what to expect as I carefully took every step to the precise directions given. One of the more intimidating cops had an emergency present itself and bequeathed the two other officers to finish my test; that eased me up a wee bit. I had refused the breathalyzer mostly out of fear but also lack of necessity. And, after what felt like 10 hours of tests, I was given the OK. I passed!
Unfortunately, in Virginia and maybe other states, you cannot drive your car home after a DUI test--pass or fail. As I waited for my friend's Uber, I spoke with the officers. They asked me what made me so terrified, why I feared for my life during a routine traffic stop, and why is this perception so common nowadays about the police. They wanted me to extend grace to them. I refuted what grace has my people, Black People, been given throughout history? We cannot extend the same leniency or courtesy to people that violently murder us. Who's to say that traffic stop couldn't have been my demise? I left them quite befuddled. The officer was so moved by my words he gave me warning. That's right. I didn't even get a speeding ticket.
As I got home, cooked my friend breakfast and finally went to bed, I pondered about the concept of grace. That maybe I needed to extend to others, near and dear to my heart, grace more often. That maybe I hadn't shown in the healthiest of way. It isn't easy to extend forgiveness to anyone, but perhaps this will move you to try. Grace.
blackberry mint gin cocktail aka Grace
ingredients:
3oz. mint simple syrup
3oz. blackberry juice
2c blackberries + 1 1/2T sugar + 3/4c water + 1/2oz. lime juice, fresh (preferred)
2-3oz. herb-y gin (I used The Botanist)
1 egg white
1 ice cube
optional: blackberries + mint leaf for garnish
Helpful items:
cocktail shaker
measuring jigger
potato masher
small filter
small whisk
small sauce pot
measuring
recipe:
In small sauce pot, mix washed blackberries and water together. Bring to boil. Once berries have softened, add the sugar. Mash the berries into paste. Lower heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Using a filter pour mixture into a measuring cup or glass. Use your whisk to ensure all juice has been extracted from crushed blackberries. Add lime juice and set aside to cool.
Pour gin, egg white, simple syrup and cooled blackberry juice into cocktail shaker. Dry shake it up. Shake. Shake. Shake. BE CAREFUL! It might explode due to froth.
After froth has formed, carefully take off cocktail shaker top and add ice. Gently shake.
Pour gin mixture into glass and garnish with blackberries and mint leaf. Enjoy!
Note: I added 3oz. of gin cause the gin I used just really complemented the fruity flavor profile of the blackberries; but you can put 2oz. if you want to have less of an alcoholic feel to the drink.
