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Nov. 8th, 2011 03:26 pm"And that is why I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere." - Elie Wiesel accepting his Nobel Peace Prize in 1986.
When I was six or seven, my parents took my sister and I to see Sesame Street Live!. I don't recall at one point during this show this occurred, but I vividly recall the events. My mother spotted a guy pulling out a knife and holding it against his child's neck. She pointed it out to my dad and while he ran over to grab the guy, she went to find a police officer. The guy was arrested and I know my parents sat there with two very freaked out children while someone came for them. This whole time my sister (who was two or three) sat and watched the show. But I remember them jumping into action and it impacted my life more than one would think.
Because for me, not speaking up is not an option. I pester, I call the cops, I casually place myself between people arguing on the Metro, I've mastered the art of the glare and the "you've got to be kidding" stare. It's almost amusing how just staring at someone as they act like an asshole can stop them. But I am a coward. I've seen a knife pulled and you bet I ran the other way. I also called the cops, but I ran away. I admit if I thought my own personal physical safety was at risk, I would not stick around. ( Cut for Graphic Stuff )
When I was six or seven, my parents took my sister and I to see Sesame Street Live!. I don't recall at one point during this show this occurred, but I vividly recall the events. My mother spotted a guy pulling out a knife and holding it against his child's neck. She pointed it out to my dad and while he ran over to grab the guy, she went to find a police officer. The guy was arrested and I know my parents sat there with two very freaked out children while someone came for them. This whole time my sister (who was two or three) sat and watched the show. But I remember them jumping into action and it impacted my life more than one would think.
Because for me, not speaking up is not an option. I pester, I call the cops, I casually place myself between people arguing on the Metro, I've mastered the art of the glare and the "you've got to be kidding" stare. It's almost amusing how just staring at someone as they act like an asshole can stop them. But I am a coward. I've seen a knife pulled and you bet I ran the other way. I also called the cops, but I ran away. I admit if I thought my own personal physical safety was at risk, I would not stick around. ( Cut for Graphic Stuff )