I speak to people. I don’t always expect people to speak back, but it doesn’t change my character. I just believe in seeing people and acknowledging them. Columbia itself is multi-racial and multi-cultural. The language and culture barrier lends to my understanding that, sometimes people don’t speak back. Often, I am the first to speak and people are surprised that I did. After the murder of Mr. George Floyd last year, I was surprised at how many seemingly went out of their way to acknowledge my presence as I walked by at the lake. People were friendly and welcoming. This summer though, my walks at the lake are back to normal. No eye contact. No acknowledgement of presence. If I speak, most will speak back. I definitely noticed the shift.