About 20yrs ago I got into line to vote and met eyes with a poll watcher staring at me. He stood directly behind 3 poll workers handing out ballots. As I got to the front of the line and approached the table. I saw him bend over and whisper in the poll workers ear. "May I see some ID" she asked me. In California it's not required to show ID and being Hispanic I felt a surge of anger at the question. But not knowing, for sure, if it was necessary I took out my wallet and showed her my drivers license. He of course, bent over for a stare. I then received my voters card and moved on.

Its been over 20 years and I'm still mad at myself for allowing that guy to manipulate the little old lady poll worker and me. I've thought many times of all the things I wished I'd done but didn't. Ever since, I've been prepared and ready for a similar encounter.

Some are privileged not to have had to fear that type of targeting, but I think the number of targets just grew exponentially during the last four years. We have to be brave.