Felipe Morales, civil engineer, Rowlett, Texas:

I saw an elderly blind woman with her hand extended. In a natural reflex, I reached in to my pocket, pulled out all my loose change and placed it on her hand without even looking at her. I was annoyed at being bothered by a beggar.

But the blind woman smiled and said, “I don’t want your money. I just need help finding the post office.”  […]

In my own life, I have experienced many open acts of prejudice. I remember a time at age 17, I was a busboy and I heard a father tell his little boy that if he did not do well in school, he would end up like me. I have also witnessed the same treatment of family and friends, so I know what it’s like, and I should have known better.