I was extra busy yesterday so I did not get around to going out for a run until after dark. I put on my reflective vest, grabbed a flashlight, and took off. There are risks in running at night, and there are benefits. The first benefit is a cooler temperature. The second benefit is less traffic. The third benefit is also a risk - a different set of critters come out at night.

I have been fortunate to see raccoons, possums, skunks, bobcats, coyotes, house cats, and owls here in my neighborhood at night. Most are busy hunting for dinner and could care less about me as long as I keep my distance.

The risky critters are the people. For example, last night I wanted to cross a busy street. There is no stoplight nearby, so sooner or later I just need to run to get across. Anyway, I started across and a white SUV sped up like it was coming at me. I would have been clear across the street if they had not accelerated. So, I slowed down to let them pass. But the driver hit his brakes and stopped directly in my path. He and his passenger laughed at me. I ignored them, zigged behind their SUV, and kept going.

They, however, were not done. They turned the corner and pulled up next to me to tell me how stupid I looked because I was wearing a reflective vest and carrying a flashlight. I ignored them, and eventually, they went away.

I thought to myself: If wearing a vest makes me “look stupid” - then I can change that by simply removing the vest when I am done with my run. What, however, can they do to act less foolish? What would motivate them to open their minds to see more diversity? I see people wearing vests all the time in YouTube videos and such. Lots of people in other towns wear vests, and belts, and blinky lights when running at night. However, I admit I seldom see anyone doing such in this town. To me, this seems like a perfectly normal thing to do. These guys have probably never looked at videos of night time running, Even so, they could still learn. They could even still learn tolerance. But how will they if they keep their minds closed?