Quote by James Baldwin
He may be a very nice man. But I haven't got the time to figure that out. All I know is, he's got a uniform and a gun and I have to relate to him that way. That's the only way to relate to him because one of us may have to die.
Summary
This quote expresses the need to make quick judgments and assumptions about someone due to the potential dangers of their profession. The speaker suggests that they do not have the luxury of taking the time to determine a person's character, acknowledging that the other individual may be kind and amiable. However, because the person in question is identified by their uniform and weapon, the speaker feels the need to approach them with caution and establish a specific type of interaction based on the inherent risks and responsibilities associated with their respective lives.