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 Nicolas Coster, actor (USA), 25/12/2009
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Nicolas Coster is a British-born American actor, most known for his work in daytime drama and as a character actor on nighttime television series. His first appearance on television was on an episode of 'The U.S. Steel Hour' in 1959. Since then, he has racked up over 80 appearances on three dozen television shows, guest-starring most notably as David Warner on the sitcom 'The Facts of Life'. He also spent one season on the NBC comedy 'Sheriff Lobo'. He played Robert Delaney on 'Another World', Anthony Macana on 'One Life to Live', Lionel Lockridge on 'Santa Barbara', Steve Andrews on 'All My Children', etc. |
When you cried last time and, if no secret, for what reason? Last night. I was in a convenience store ("711") and a large angry man came in raving and ranting at the Indian workers in the store. He was in their faces, shouting hateful racist insults. I was standing by the newspaper rack in the corner. Hearing these awful insults, I got choked up and felt the tears of rage and disappointment swell up. Yes disappointment. Disappointment that now, today, in 2009 in America, people could still have such terrible racist feelings.
There are some events during our life, when it seems as there is no way out. That could be tragic circumstances or such assessment of them. At that time, what's the thing to do? I will answer by continuing with this true story. I started to walk slowly over to this as I say, large, younger than I, angry man... I walked toward him. I had no idea as to what I was going to do or say. I was making it up as I walked. I knew that I was older and smaller than he... I also swore many years ago after I was attacked in New York, that I would - if every confronted with a potentially violent situation again - I would do everything in my human power to disarm rather than overcome, the foe. As I got close to him purely coincidentally, he turned towards me, but kept spinning and then still ranting, headed out the door. I expressed my horror to the two clerks and almost felt that I should apologise for this awful behavior by a white American in the day and age... I did not. Instead, I told them I would call the police on my cell phone. Just in case the man came back in with more violent threats... He did come back. I was over in the far corner of the store so that he would not hear my call to the police which took awhile to give them the details... as quietly as I could. There were others in the store of different races, all shocked. Was this a hopeless situation? No. It took careful thought of my own safety and that of others. One did not want to incite this terrible man to violent action. Eventually, after waiting a long time for the police to arrive, a small Asian woman, a large Hispanic guy and I, sort of edged him out into the parking lot. He then disappeared.
Could you please choose any event of last days, weeks or months, that has distressed you? It can be any happening on a local or international scale. How could you comment on it? An actual occurrence? Yes, this was one. The police in L.A. have, I am sure, a record of my 911-call. Practically every day, I receive an email from some friend or random mailing which contains racist slurs in the guise of political disagreement or disappointment with the actions or perceived inaction of our President, Obama. Disagree! Dispute! Express disappointment! But do NOT mask thinly, an historical prejudice against an African Amercian being our President, with "Christian" parables, crude "Watermelon" jokes and the like... That awful and continuing hatred is tearing at the fabric of this great democracy. If it continues, it will tear it apart.
There's always a new danger watching for humanity in its way, always a new temptation we're ready succumb to. What's the danger of our days? And what's the way to avoid this trap? The danger is inactivity in the face of prejudice in all its forms, disguised or not. I have been advised by fellow Americans to pay no attention, to ignore these diatribes and "messages". I cannot ignore them. I will not ignore them. I will take the time to answer back and ask them to forward MY message - a condemnation of that thinking and propaganda - in the guise of political opinion or sentiment. Not all Americans of any party are racist. But they should speak up at every turn when the see it, hear it, or smell it... They, too often, do not.
What are the main obstructions to apply humanities principles at our today's life? Could they be solved? Obstructions too, come in disguises or as religious people would say, "temptations". If one has a clear picture that morality by any definition has to do with human dignity, and that which is immoral robs a person or persons of human dignity, than that is a step towards simple but not simplistic solutions. Simple? Hard to follow in one's daily life? I think not. Perhaps it would demand a change in priorities for some. Time is gone for human beings to think only of themselves and their immediate circle. The planet is in danger. We collectively and individually have to stop this greed and lack of thought and promote feeling for all peoples on this earth. Ah, yes! I forgot to tell you of our foundation's activities... See www.challengesfoundation.org and it will be largely self-explanatory. Peace and good health in to the coming year to you all! Regards, Nicolas Coster
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