two sides to a coin (cognitive dissonance)

[harborshore]

I'm not telling the following story because I did the right thing (I've done the wrong thing many times). I'm telling the following story because a) I can't let go of it until I do and b) it's worth having certain kinds of numbers in your phone.

Today on the train, going to yoga, I heard screaming and looked up from my book. On the subway platform, hidden from me by a crowd of people standing there, I heard screaming and crying (a girl) and a man swearing at her, calling her every name in the book. I heard someone say "Shit, she's really trying to get away from him." I blinked and the doors were closing. Everyone just sat there. I dug out my phone and managed to find the number for the train company's Safety Central (they have security guards at every station--it's faster than the police) and told them what I'd heard. He said he'd pass it on immediately. I--I'm saving that number in my phone. I hope she's okay. I hope he did pass it on, or that someone else called them and/or the police. I hope she's okay.

Yoga, then. I was the only one there (apart from the instructor). We were outside, and the balance positions were all easier for it, and turning towards the sun and stretching your body into the light--it was gorgeous, nothing but stunning. An experience unlike any other. I came home and my flatmate fed me and we watched soccer and I just--I hope she's okay. Today was hard to keep up with.

Comments

[sinuous-curve.livejournal.com]

*hugs you you fiercely*

[harborshore.livejournal.com]

*clings* I. just.

[cloudlessclimes.livejournal.com]

you did the right thing. there should be more people like you. yoga outside sounds like something i would like to try :)

[harborshore.livejournal.com]

I--about six of the people sitting around me on the train thanked me when I hung up. I don't get--why didn't they call?

Yoga outside was basically heaven. So amazing.

[redbrickrose.livejournal.com]

*hugs tight*

[harborshore.livejournal.com]

*clings*

[harborshore.livejournal.com]

Yes, exactly--I told my yoga teacher that, too (she's 18), because I told her the story and she told me of a time when she didn't do anything (but her mom got right in there and broke up the fight) and, like, she was younger then. But adults! Not even calling! A bunch of people thanked me when I hung up, and I just--why didn't they call? I did explain the Safety Central to them all when they thanked me.

*clings* I, yes, you. So much.

[mrsquizzical.livejournal.com]

*HUGSSS*

[harborshore.livejournal.com]

♥

[anoneknewmoose.livejournal.com]

♥

It's quite common for people to not call, sadly, because people don't want to interfere or they assume someone else will call or they convince themselves it couldn't possibly be THAT serious or whatever. There's a term for it, I can't remember, but basically: it's very very difficult to overcome the herd mentality or risk upsetting the status quo. I'm proud of you.

(I have the Texas Child Abuse hotline saved in my phone. They gave it to us during a summer camp training session and I thought it was just a good idea to keep. I hope I never need to use it.)

[sunsetmog.livejournal.com]

<333

[turps33.livejournal.com]

I hope she's okay too :(

♥

[mahoni.livejournal.com]

*hugs and hugs*

[desfinado.livejournal.com]

Whoa. I hope that girl is alright.

[jubella.livejournal.com]

♥♥♥

[x_dark_siren_x]

Just doing anything is the right thing. *hugs tight* I am so, so fucking glad there are people like you in the world.