Rosalynd Harris is a waitress who works two jobs just trying to make ends meet so that she can pay her college tuition fees. During one of the busiest weekends of the year, she was working her shift at the Washington restaurant, Busboys and Poets, when a group of Texan men walked in with their conspicuous red hats, sticking out like a sore thumb in that particular establishment, with its’ very laid-back, artistic vibe that is known for being a meeting place for civil rights activists, artists, and poets. Rosalynd’s first thought was they might be looking for trouble, particularly as it was an emotionally charged weekend for the whole country…
Waitress Was Afraid of What These Texan Men With Their Red Hats Wanted
Nervous
At first, the 25-year-old waitress was instinctively nervous about serving them and hoped they weren’t there to make any trouble for her or for the other customers. She would find out soon enough if her instincts were true gut feelings or based on ideas that she intuitively based on their image. This wasn’t the first time that Rosalynd had encountered trouble in her restaurant, but these men were on another level of intimidating and spooky.
Nervous
A Surprise
After a while, she realized that her initial thoughts may not have been fair… Rosalynd believed that she had a good sense for people, having worked as a waitress for so long and around so many people on an intimate level. She still exercised a certain measure of caution around the men, however, as she could not hide all her fears. But she still wasn’t expecting what she found on the table… She couldn’t believe her eyes!
A Surprise
Social Justice
Rosalynd Harris is not your average waitress, and she has a lot more to offer than just waiting on tables. Not that this is not a respectable occupation by any means, but Rosalynd was working very hard at her life after hours. She is passionate about social justice, fitting for someone who works at the Washington DC restaurant, Busboys and Poets, where there are ethnic minority role models plastered on the walls. There are so many people that are invested.
Social Justice
Busboys and Poets
The establishment is a self-proclaimed “community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted … a space for art, culture, and politics to intentionally collide”. These Texan men with their red hats seemed very out of place here, especially at that specific time. It was a clash of two polar worlds, where the left and the right rarely mixed, and if so, you could bet that there would be trouble. Was a bar fight about to explode?
Busboys And Poets
A Means to an End
The 25-year-old is a professional dancer and her work as a waitress is a means to an end, a way to put herself through college. She works hard, and the last thing she wanted was for any customer drama to occur. Not only would she be risking her customers’ safety within her joint, but her very livelihood itself. If she did not deal with these strange men that she was serving, before they started something, she could take the blame.
A Means To An End
Timing
The weekend that this unexpected incident took place is significant to the story. It was the weekend of two majorly important marches in Washington that weekend. The inauguration of the 45th President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, and the Women’s March. If you know anything about politics, then you may have guessed that these two movements did not see eye-to-eye. The Women’s March members were scathingly critical of Trump, who is infamous for his sexist remarks.
Timing
Marching for Your Beliefs
Funnily enough, both parties in our story were at a march that weekend, but while those in the red hats were at the inauguration, Rosalynd was at the women’s march. You see, Rosalynd is an outspoken and passionate feminist, among many other things. She was also not the biggest Trump fan. So, when these men walked in wearing those infamous red “MAGA” hats, she instantly took against them. They were mortal enemies, after all, and they were on her turf.
Marching For Your Beliefs
Fighting for Her Rights
Rosalynd was one of the 500,000 who turned up to march in the rally to stick up for her beliefs. Once the busy weekend was over, many visitors stayed in the capital city for the following week. One such visitor was Jason White from Texas and his friends. There were many people in the capital city at that time, from all walks of life, with many different political beliefs. While everyone was largely coexisting with only a few violent moments, things were tense.
Fighting For Her Rights
Sticking Out
It was a fateful lunchtime for both parties that day, as they would both learn a lot. When Jason and his friends walked into Busboys and Poets, the place went silent, looking at the group in disbelief. Including Rosalynd. It was like something from a movie, where the happy-go-lucky protagonist and his friends walk into a biker gang bar, and all the thugs silently stare at them. Only this time, the Trump supporters had walked into a liberal den.
Sticking Out
Making Assumptions
Rosalynd immediately made two quick assumptions about the small group. Firstly, that they had come from out of town, and secondly, that they were in Washington to celebrate the inauguration of the new president. She may have been reaching, but there were so many glaringly obvious signs. Namely, that a group of Trump supporters had no idea what Rosalynd’s left-wing cafe was, given that they had casually strolled in. These gentlemen were clearly out of their depths.
Making Assumptions
Right but Wrong
Although Rosalynd may have been right on both accounts, there was a lesson for them all about not judging a book by its cover… the problem with modern politics is that people will assume a whole shopping list’s worth of qualities in you once they discover what your political affiliation is. When people see Trump supporters, they often assume that they are bigoted, aggressive, or worse, members of a far-right group. Not everyone wearing a MAGA hat is an extremist…
Right But Wrong
Texan Republicans
Jason White and his friends had indeed come all the way from Texas to celebrate the election results in the capital city, as they were thrilled by the turnout. In that respect, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the group was casually walking around in their red “Make America Great Again” caps, especially as Jason is not ashamed of his proud patriotism. He believed that it was only right that an American should support their president.
Texan Republicans
More than Meets the Eye
Yet just because those two assumptions about Jason White may have been true, there is still so much more to him than just a red cap, he just happened to be wearing it in the wrong place, at the wrong time… Still, this was not just an accidental fashion no-no that Jason had pulled off. He was certainly a big supporter of the president-to-be, as were his friends. But did that mean that he was a racist?
More Than Meets The Eye
A Family Man
The 37-year-old is a big family man, with a close-knit network of friends, and a dentist back in his hometown in Texas. He is a completely normal individual with a normal life. He has no crime record, and his friends, family members, and co-workers all think highly of him. When visiting the capital city, he also visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Arlington cemetery, to name a few. This was meant to be a patriotic pilgrimage of sorts.
A Family Man
Hats Off
To be honest, the red caps caught everyone’s eye first, as they just seemed so out of place in such an establishment. Rosalynd didn’t say anything to them about the caps, but Jason quietly suggested to the others that they take them off while they were having lunch in the restaurant. As you can imagine, it didn’t take him long to realize that his kind was not particularly welcome in an establishment like this one.
Hats Off
Getting Looks
Jason said that when they went inside to sit down, they started getting looks, “I told my friend, you need to take your hat off. I don’t want people to think we’re coming in here to flaunt…We’re just coming here to have lunch.” Jason was astute enough to realize that this was a safe space, where the only political stances that were welcomed or discussed were on the left side of the overall political spectrum.
Getting Looks
The Power of a Smile
Incredibly, if Rosalynd was disturbed by the men’s appearance, she did not show it. She was in an incredible mood, and nothing could shake her. Rosalynd was still buzzing from the high energy she got from the powerful Women’s March, and was especially cheery as she walked over to Jason’s table to give them service, handing them the menus with a big smile, which they warmly reciprocated. The men were relieved to see her friendliness, to say the least.
The Power Of A Smile
Shared Laughter
Soon enough, they were making jokes together. Jason said that she had laughed when they said they were from West Texas, saying that she evidently could tell they were from the South. Then he asked Rosalynd what was her favorite thing on the menu, and when she said the avocado panini was delicious, he ordered that as he loves avocado too, saying that “It was a relief for both of us to just laugh together”.
Shared Laughter
Curiosity
After they broke the ice a little, Jason wondered about the restaurant/book store’s history and asked Rosalynd about it. She was only too happy to answer their questions, being sure they had never experienced a place quite like it. While many people will feel that those with an opposing political stance should simply be fought, Rosalynd was of the mind that warmth and open conversations are the best way forwards. She was not about to turn hostile.
Curiosity
A Special Place
Rosalynd told the three men that Busboys and Poets were named after poet Langston Hughes, a key figure in African American literature, as he used to be a busboy in the 1920s before he gained recognition for his work. Hughes produced an extensive collection of news articles, poems, novels, and even plays in his time, and was the pioneer of the jazz poetry form. He was a cultural, social, and political icon who today holds a legendary status.
A Special Place
The End?
After taking their orders, Rosalynd let the group enjoy their lunch, thinking that that would probably be the end of the encounter… But was it? There was perhaps far more to their encounter than just pleasantries and an enjoyable square meal for the MAGA men. Rosalynd had a strange feeling as she carried on with her work after introducing the men to the place. After all, it was an unusual encounter for both parties involved.
The End
A Complete Shock
An hour or so later, Jason and his friends finished their lunch and left the restaurant after saying thank you and goodbye from afar. Rosalynd would have liked to have seen the guys off properly, and thank them for their patronage. Of course, Rosalynd now went over to the table to clean up for the next customers and collect any tip they may have left. Nothing could have prepared her for what was to come.
A Complete Shock
An Unexpected Note
When Rosalynd arrived at the table to clean up and pick up the cheque, she noticed it was covered in words. At first, she thought it was just a careless scribble, until she looked a little closer and it became clear that one of the friends had written a note. What could they possibly have had to say to Rosalynd? As friendly as their interaction had been, it was just a waitress serving customers at the end of the day.
An Unexpected Note
A Personal Message
Rosalynd’s curiosity began to burn as she skimmed over the note. She looked around to see if the men had stuck around, but they were well on their way by that point. Rosalynd picked up the note and started to read. After the first few words, she realized this was a personal message specifically for her, and got her interest in the first few words; “We may come from different cultures and may disagree on certain issues…”
A Personal Message
Heartfelt
With each sentence, Rosalynd felt more and more moved by the heartfelt message. The note went on to say “If everyone would share a smile and kindness like your beautiful smile, our country will come together as one people,” Jason wrote. “Not race. Not gender. Just American. God bless!” Rosalynd was at a loss for words. She could never have expected that people so different from her would appreciate her basic courtesies and pleasantries so gratefully.
Heartfelt
United by a Smile
Rosalynd was truly touched by Jason’s note. The idea of how far a smile can go really invigorated her positivity. Waitresses will generally have all manner of interactions with people. Some good, some bad, but very rarely will they experience a life-changing moment like this one. But there was so much more to come for Rosalynd, whose experience had just begun. There was so much more amazingness to come! She wasn’t prepared for what came next…
United By A Smile
A Huge Tip!
The total cost of the cheque for the three’s lunch came in at $72.60. So Rosalynd was utterly astounded when she saw they had left a tip of a whopping $450! For a waitress any tip above 20% is exciting, but 625% was just unbelievable! As everyone knows, waitresses often do not earn luxurious salaries in any country or state. They work incredibly hard for very little pay, and often have to survive on tips alone.
A Huge Tip
45th President
Jason said that the $450 tip was a nod to the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States, Trump, as a symbolic gesture that he hoped everyone could move forward together. This tip was so much more than money, it was a way forward for people of all walks of life and political beliefs to finally begin respecting and caring for one another. Of course, there was a lot of work to be done to reach that stage.
45th President
A Secret
Jason hadn’t even told his friends what he was doing. This was not some grand scheme that he and his pals had come up with, rather, it was a spontaneous gesture that Jason had thought up after meeting the warm waitress. But he felt so moved by everything that he had seen in Washington over the weekend, with both the election of the President and the powerful Women’s March. Two walks of life with one goal.
A Secret
An Epiphany
Jason remembers looking at all those influential figures on the walls of the Busboys and Poets establishment and thinking about how the inauguration and the Women’s March coincided, and being inspired as for him, these were two examples of people expressing their American values. Suddenly, Jason was thinking in new ways that he had never considered before. It seemed like there was so much for him to learn from the living and departed figures in this world.
An Epiphany
Shared Values
Influenced also by being a devout Christian, Jason felt these two events represented the very foundation of what it meant to be American. He also said that he was so moved when he watched the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, thinking about how, no matter who the president is and regardless of politics, they perform the same 21-step tradition. America had changed so much in just a few years, and Jason was doing his best to keep up.
Shared Values
Inspired
This thought inspired Jason, and he began thinking about how much he had in common with other people even if on the first impression that may not be so obvious. This included the smiling waitress who served him with a smile no matter what she might have thought about him at first, inspiring his incredible act of kindness. It is incredible how people can find so much in common with each other, even when they appear so different.
Inspired
More in Common than Appearances
Jason said that he wanted to show Rosalynd that they probably had more in common than first appearances may show. Jason said in an interview that while he was sitting there, thinking about the whole weekend he had just experienced, he thought about how if most Americans have preconceived opinions of one another “then we’re never going to get better”, he said. To put it simply, don’t judge a book by its cover, or face value.
More In Common Than Appearances
Authenticity
Both the lovely heartfelt words and the hefty tip were such wonderful gestures that Rosalynd felt extremely touched and emotional. Rosalynd said how one often automatically makes assumptions that if someone supports Trump that they have certain ideas, but she was pleasantly surprised that Jason “was more embracing than even some of my more liberal friends, and there was a real authenticity in our exchange,” she said. The man had left with much personal growth.
Authenticity
A Little Goes a Long Way
Not only were the words extremely moving for Rosalynd, there was also no denying that the generous tip came at a perfect time for her. She had just taken on extra shifts because she had to move apartment and didn’t know if she’d have enough cash to pay any upfront costs. So the $450 tip “is a huge weight off my shoulders” she said. This might not seem like much money to a person that earns well.
A Little Goes A Long Way
“We Rise by Lifting Others”
Rosalynd said that she may have been guilty of prejudice too and the men had left her with more than a generous tip. It reminded her that many Americans want unity regardless of their politics, and “not to be afraid to connect with someone as human beings” she said, and that the event “definitely reshaped my perspective. Republican, Democrat, liberal are all subcategories to what we are experiencing,” she said. “It instills a lot of hope.” The two’s reunion was yet to come…
We Rise By Lifting Others
Emotional Reunion
Even though neither Rosalynd or Jason posted any information about the exchange on social media, it soon went viral after a co-worker of Rosalynd’s put a photo of the receipt on Twitter. Soon enough the story captured the attention of millions, putting both Jason and Rosalynd in the public’s consciousness. While doing an interview, Rosalynd surprised Jason with a call on FaceTime. It was the first time the two had interacted since their fateful encounter at Busboys and Poets.
Emotional Reunion
A Misunderstanding
The two finally got to catch up after everything they had been through since then. They laughed and exchanged pleasantries, but there was a far more serious point that would soon arise in their discussion. It seemed like some of their followers had missed the point of their exchange. During their conversation, they both agreed that there was an important misunderstanding that many people had about the story. But how would they clear up the confusion?
A Misunderstanding
Not About Race
Many had begun interpreting the story in a manner in which neither Rosalynd or Jason agreed with. Rosalynd said that she really hoped that people don’t just see this act of kindness as “this white guy helping this black girl”, saying that this gracious gesture came from a place of compassion and love.” Jason agreed, saying that it wasn’t about him or Rosalynd specifically, but that he wanted to set an example for all people, that they should “stop and think a little bit before they judge people – on all sides.”
Not About Race
Compassion and Love
Both Rosalynd and Jason see their exchange as a lesson of unconditional love for a stranger, whoever they may be, and whatever they look like. Jason said, “We have to think about being better Americans, we have to look into ourselves and how we treat one another,” he said. “If everyone did a little something to show respect… we can love one another.” At the end of the heartfelt FaceTime call, Rosalynd sent a virtual hug to Jason, and he responded by blowing a virtual kiss.
Compassion And Love
Reconnecting
Rosalynd reached out to Jason after seeing him on the news a few weeks later and they reconnected. They talked about their political differences and how they could still have a friendship despite their disagreements.
Reconnecting
A Political Debate
Over various dinners, Rosalynd and Jason engaged in political debates that got heated at times. They both realized how passionate they were about their beliefs, but also respected each other’s opinions.
A Political Debate
The First Date
After several friendly conversations, Jason asked Rosalynd out on a date. She hesitated at first, unsure if their political differences would be too much to handle. But she decided to give it a chance.
The First Date
Overcoming Stereotypes
Rosalynd’s friends and family were initially skeptical of her dating a Republican Trump supporter, but Jason’s kindness and respect for her beliefs helped them see him in a different light.
Overcoming Stereotypes
Meeting the Parents
Jason met Rosalynd’s parents and was nervous about their reaction to his political views. But they were impressed by his manners and willingness to listen to their opinions.
Meeting The Parents
The First Obstacle
Rosalynd and Jason hit their first major obstacle when a controversial political issue caused a heated argument. They both realized they needed to find a way to respect each other’s beliefs without letting it damage their relationship.
The First Obstacle
Taking a Break
After their argument, Rosalynd and Jason decided to take a break from each other to think about whether they could overcome their political differences. It was a difficult time, but it gave them both the space to evaluate their feelings.
Taking A Break
Dating Within Their Political Spectrum
After their break, both Rosalynd and Jason dated people who shared their political beliefs. However, those relationships didn’t work out, as they found themselves missing the connection they had with each other.
Dating Within Their Political Spectrum
Reconciliation
After a few weeks, Rosalynd and Jason met up to talk things through. They considered whether they should give their relationship another chance. Eventually they left having made no decisive decisions, but they both wondered.
Reconciliation
Longing for Each Other
As time went on, Rosalynd and Jason couldn’t help but think about each other. They missed the deep conversations they had, the laughter they shared, and the unique bond they had formed despite their political differences.
Longing For Each Other
The Realization
One day, Rosalynd and Jason had a heart-to-heart conversation and both admitted that they still had feelings for each other. They realized that they had a special connection that couldn’t be found with someone who shared the same political beliefs.
The Realization
Taking a Chance
After their realization, Rosalynd and Jason decided to take a chance on each other once again. They knew that it wouldn’t be easy, but they were willing to work through their differences and find a way to make it work.
Taking A Chance
Learning and Growing
As they got back together, Rosalynd and Jason made a commitment to learn and grow from each other. They respected each other’s beliefs and took the time to understand where the other was coming from.
Learning And Growing
Making It Work
Despite the challenges they faced, Rosalynd and Jason were determined to make their relationship work. They found common ground and focused on the things they loved about each other, rather than their political differences.
Making It Work
A Stronger Connection
Through their struggles and perseverance, Rosalynd and Jason’s bond grew even stronger. They realized that their love for each other was more important than any political beliefs, and they made sure to prioritize their relationship above all else.
A Stronger Connection
The Engagement
After a few years of dating, Jason proposed to Rosalynd. It was a joyous moment for both of them, and they couldn’t wait to start their life together.
The Engagement
Wedding Planning
Planning their wedding was a challenge, as they had to navigate the politics of their families and friends. But they remained committed to each other and found a way to compromise.
Wedding Planning
The Wedding Day
Rosalynd and Jason’s wedding day was a beautiful celebration of their love. They exchanged vows and danced the night away, surrounded by loved ones who supported their relationship.
The Wedding Day
The Honeymoon
After their wedding, Rosalynd and Jason went on a romantic honeymoon to a tropical island. They relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company, grateful for the love they had found.
The Honeymoon
A New Addition
A few years after their wedding, Rosalynd and Jason welcomed a baby boy into the world. They were overjoyed and joked about whether he would grow up to be a Republican or a liberal.
A New Addition