The most likely reason the author wrote this memoir is to reflect on how prejudices can influence personal behavior. The narrative delves into the author's internal struggle with the decision to help a white woman, highlighting his concerns about potential prejudices and judgments based on his identity as a Puerto Rican. The memoir ultimately emphasizes the impact of societal biases on individual actions and interactions.
1 It was very late at night on the eve of Memorial Day. we saw her preparing to get off at the next station which happened to be the place where I too had to get off. Just as it was a problem for her to get on, it was going to be a problem for her to get off the subway with two small children to be taken care of, a baby on her right arm, and a suitcase in her left.
2 As the train was entering the station, some white man stood up from his seat and helped her out, placing the children on the long, deserted platform. There were only two adult persons on the long platform some time after midnight on the eve of last Memorial Day.
3 I could see the steep, long concrete stairs going down to the Long Island Railroad or into the street. Should I offer my help as the American white man did at the subway door, placing the two children outside the subway car? Should I take care of the girl and the boy, take them by their hands until they reached the end of the steep, long concrete stairs of the station?
4 But how could I, a Puerto Rican, approach this white lady who very likely might have preconceived prejudices about Puerto Ricans and everybody with foreign accents, in a deserted subway station very late at night?
5 What would she say? What would be the first reaction of this white American woman, perhaps coming from a small town with a suitcase, two children and a baby on her right arm? Would she say: Yes, of course, you may help me. Or would she think that I was just trying to get too familiar? Or would she think worse than that perhaps? What would I do if she let out a scream as I went toward her to offer my help?
6 Was I misjudging her? So many slanders are written every day in the daily press against the Puerto Ricans. I hesitated for a long, long minute. The manners that the Puerto Rican passes on from father to son were struggling inside me. Here was I, way past midnight, face to face with a situation that could very well explode into an outburst of prejudices.
7 I passed on by her as if I saw nothing. As if I was insensitive to her need. Like a rude animal walking on two legs, I just moved on half running by the long subway platform leaving the children and the suitcase and her with the baby on her arm. I took the steps of the long concrete stairs in twos until I reached the street above and the cold air slapped my warm face.
8 Perhaps the lady was not prejudiced after all. Or not prejudiced enough to scream at the coming of a Puerto Rican toward her in a solitary subway station a few hours past midnight.
9 If you were not that prejudiced, I failed you, dear lady. If you were not that prejudiced, I failed you, children. I failed myself.
10 I buried my courtesy early on Memorial Day morning. But here is a promise that I make to myself here and now; if I am ever faced with an occasion like that again, I am going to offer my help regardless of how the offer is going to be received. What is the most likely reason the author wrote this memoir?
To describe the challenges of navigating the subway late at night
To criticize people who refuse to help others in need
To explain the importance and signifigance of Memorial Day
To reflect on how prejudices can influence personal behavior
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