A few hours ago I witnessed discrimination of the 1960’s ilk as three airport taxicab drivers in succession refused the family in front of me. Suddently West Palm Beach became overcast and the human condition grew cold. I watched my new friends literally left on the curb as the drivers sped away. Jim, Ginger, Colby and Payton went from perplexed to rightfully indignant.

The first driver actually shook his head no, then paced, and noted that “it’s not going to happen.” James expressed a remarkable patience, rolling his eyes a bit more than usual, but reserved. I was talking with him at the time and didn’t realize what was actually transpiring.

These events played out in full view of an airport crowd. With the second rejection James took a firm step toward the curb. Snappily dressed in southern genteel tweed and manifesting a quite sense of class, he became professionally candid about these actions. The taxicab drivers had publicly and unabashedly refused them, and when James threatened with legal action, citing codes and the mandatory fines, the victims became the confident authorities. The cabby simply waved and fraudulently and cowered a lame response, “I just went off the clock.”

A host of other drivers looked on, but none came running. None raised their voices in disagreement like those of us nearby. Then came Delly, the next cabby in line, a Nigerian American, and when he politely agreed to let my new friends share my cab, a bit of the tension was eased.

Next came the logistics of getting into the cab with their beautiful dogs, Colby and Payton. In many ways, they’re the eyes for Dr. James and Ginger Kutsch. Little did the cabbies know that they had just disrespected the President of The Seeing Eye College, and a former computer science professor at Virginia. James has a fortitude that mastered the early computers long before KayPro & Radio Shack models, and the many current helps for seeing impaired. He also noted several cases of blind young women being stranded in unwelcome situations when cabbies refused them, which fueled his desire to educate the crowd today—“This happens all the time to my colleagues, and cabs are usually our only means of transportation.”

What didn’t go unnoticed was the irony that all the cabbies involved today were African American, including the rather polite manager who took immediate action when notified. I’m not sure if charges will be filed, but when I followed up with James at the hotel he noted that the manager had just called him again with the violators in front of him. Their jobs were on the line, but James noted that it wasn’t their jobs he was after, but their education.

James and Ginger seem to see life more clearly than many others. They’re also living examples that “The dream needs to be stronger than the struggle.” If you want to learn more about their college in Morristown, NJ, or how to support the training and care of their remarkable team of dogs, go to their handy website at: www.seeingeye.org. And the light colored dogs with a lab mix look like Colby and Payton.

James and Ginger, you encouraged me today. This happened to be a day following an all-nighter due to a writing deadline and an early flight. However, I’m writing this before the day is finished as a commitment to use what means and honed gifts I have to raise awareness of your noble journeys to make a difference. And, with hope to see you again, so to speak.

Your excitement over the thesis of my new book, Why I Teach, touched my heart and branded an interest in making this work more accessible. Upon return I’ll be in touch with McGraw-Hill about producing an audio copy for your school—and as a testimony to your magnetic spirit, and an image on the curb today indelibly impressed on my soul and a visual definition of informed courage—I’ll be the one reading this. I’ve not a strong physical voice, as you know, yet it will be an honor to voice my thoughts for my new friends.

What do you think? What are your first reactions to the Kutsh's predicament today?