Makena: See Me, Hear Me, Know Me

When Right Goes Wrong

It’s the day of the Food Truck Festival, so Makena and her family head to Anacostia Park on a lovely afternoon. There, Makena separates from her family to meet up with Najee. The two of them decide to visit the music section of the festival.

On their way, they pass by a little kid standing all alone on the path. She’s about three years old, with red hair. Najee and Makena glance around for an adult who’s accompanying the girl, but they don’t see anyone interested. Makena and Najee gently ask her if she’s lost. She nods at them wide-eyed. They offer to help her find her mom.

Najee picks the girl up and they begin looking for her mom. And then, a White woman angrily stops them. The woman thinks that Najee and Makena are kidnapping the girl! The woman doesn’t give either Najee or Makena the opportunity to explain, and eventually a park ranger has to come diffuse the situation. Suddenly, the girl’s mom arrives and takes the child away.

When Makena asks Najee what happened, he answers shortly “It’s livin’ while being Black.”