To Speak Up or Not to Speak Up

Just recently, I was sitting on a streetcar on my way home and on came someone who, let’s just say, did not have the best personal hygiene. When you use public transit, undoubtedly this happens from time to time when someone who is either homeless and/or has a strong case of mental illness is onboard. Yes, it is an uncomfortable situation for there is only so much that our sense of smell can handle. Most people remain quiet, stay in their seats or where they are standing, to the point that you would never know there is such a disturbance. This is of course because most people are respectful of the person and do not want to make him or her feel bad.

On this particular ride, a woman got on and as she past the man who was sitting at the front, she immediately began to make rude comments loud enough that people on the street could probably hear. She was so obnoxious, insensitive and rude. She continued her taunts from where she stood in the middle of the streetcar.

What you need to know about me is that I am a person who when an injustice like this occurs, I am compelled to go to the person and say something. It does not matter what the situation is, I have to give that person a piece of my mind in defense of a person, animal, the environment, whatever it may be. At that moment I have no fear of any repercussion. I am simply hardwired to do this. In no way am I writing this to make myself look good. There are plenty of things I don’t do such as fighting for a cause passionately by protesting, writing letters, leading demonstrations, etc. The people who dedicate themselves in this way, whom I admire greatly, are hardwired to do it.

Typically, when I am in such a situation, I am the only person amongst many who says something. But not this time … this time, I had a partner who sat close to the woman and started before I had the chance. I cannot tell you how incredibly peaceful it made me feel when I realized the man was speaking up to object to the woman’s abusive tirade. Of course, I joined in as well and we both received our share of her abuse. But I could feel the camaraderie between myself and the man who spoke up and essentially, I could feel God. We remained the only 2 people who said anything in a streetcar full of people. Interestingly, the man with the poor hygiene, the man who spoke up and I all got off at the same stop. We each passed each other without saying a word but looking back, there was a sense of “our work is done”.

Did we make an impact? I don’t know. Did this do anything to change the woman and maybe, just maybe change something deep within her? I don’t know. Did it affect those who sat or stood silently observing what had transpired, knowing very well that an injustice was occurring before their eyes and ears while they did nothing? I don’t know. But I believe within my heart that every time someone takes a stand in this way, it does make an impact and brings about change within people, even if it does not happen immediately.

How about you? Are you the defender or the observer? Why do you think you are the defender or observer? Is there something you feel “hardwired” or called to do?