Reunion with an old friend

I stopped by in Los Angeles to see a friend; Tyler from University. Tyler is an interesting guy, he's a first generation American with his family from Liberia. Dad moved to the States for work after his mom's passing back home. An event that I can tell affected him and still has but he's never opened up about it. He's closed like that, quick to give advice about personal issues but slow to open up about his.
On campus, all the black students knew each other or at least have known each other through mutual friends. Even in stranger interactions, you give a nice head nod and smile. It's kind of like a "I know we struggling together but we thriving" type of look. I guess that's something that comes out of being an endangered species in higher education.
Tyler however, was not aware of this cultural movement. The very first time I met him was in my Computer Science class. He came in and I gave him the nod and a smile. He then rushes over to me and questions, "Why do people keep doing that?"
Doing what?
"That nod! I don't know you.." he pauses, "Do I?"
No we don't but see you being my brother, I had to say hello. Where are you from?
"Liberia. But I've been in the states for almost 2 years and I've never been taught this."

And that was the beginning of our friendship. Me teaching him the collective call of our race. See, it's understandable why he doesn't know about this. Being raised in Africa, you'll be nodding all day. Then moving to an all white neighborhood in northern LA, it's likely to not have learned the ropes.

So for this reunion of over 3 years, we decided to go to the Beach for the day. Tyler tells me that he's been working with a non-profit that aims to bring STEM education into the majority black schools in Southern California. It's been growing very rapidly in the last two years with a new major contributor in Microsoft. I congratulate him. He's always been one for bringing a more diverse cast of characters into the tech field. Black or African, I observe that we've become more united in our American struggle than our ancestors. I envy him because I haven't gotten to the point where I feel like I can give back.  I got there, I made some money, lost some money, but have done nothing to open the gates for people of color to do the same.
I share this. He offers to bring me onboard, teach me the ropes, even offers to let me live with him until I have enough to buy my own spot there. Such a good friend he is, but, I don't want to cut my fun so short. I still have a nice amount of time before I have to head back to the bay to start thinking about my actual life now.

For now, I'll take my Budweiser and sit on the coast of America, and watch the sun set on the edge of a continent.