So even though I'm posting on Friday, I guess this still counts as a Thursday Thank You since it happened yesterday.
I was on the bus when I overheard two stereotypical gang-banger types get on and start calling each other "fag" and the typical homophobic slurs that seems prevalient in underprivileged communities. They continued on about a lesbian they knew, talking about her breast size, trying to get her drunk, etc., basically being really offensive.
I wanted to ask them to be quiet, but as a man, I was scared of having a verbal confrontation getting physical. Nevertheless, I was trying to build up my courage to tell them to shut up when a woman stepped up and told them they were being really offensive and asked them to stop. She argued with them for a minute or two with them basically telling her to shut up. The woman eventually stopped arguing, but the guys at least moved on to different conversation and ended up getting off the bus.
So thank you, anonymous bus-passenger for speaking your mind and doing your best to make the world a less homophobic and sexist place. You did what I could not and you rock!
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I'd like to thank her too. I am a bus-transiter as well, and often face many misogynist, ignorant, racist, drunk, and homophobic individuals of all backgrounds and identities. I however do notice I stand up if the person is of my age or lower (sometimes I catch the Hell Run bus, which picks up Durfee Highschool kids. Uuuugghh.)
I remember at one point, a group of what looked like middle school kids were talking loudly about female anatomy in probably the most vulgar way and about sex. I noticed a lot of the elderly women looking very uncomfortable. Even one elderly man looked like he was going to barf. I finally turned, looked at the end of the bus, and told them to Shut up, Please, that we really don't need to hear it. One kid stood up, and was grabbing the rail and was pretty much like, "Who wants to start something?" The bus pulled at a red light and I stood up this time.
"Do you really want a New Bedford High punk to kick your ass on the bus, or after? Take your pick. If not, sit your ass down and respect your elders." Just a side note, New Bedford High -does- have a bad rap. It's a tough school, tons of fights and bomb threats (many real) and suicides in the bathrooms. In a way, I was sort of name-dropping that I came from this school, and you're just a little stupid kid. Needless to say, the back of the bus quieted down and didn't proceed with any more derogatory terms. A lot of the elderly people looked releaved, actually.
It's always awesome when someone speaks up when you feel you can't. And you want to say thank you but you have to just give them a little grin!
It is sad that this language is part of our every day life now. These words are used so commonly and openly. My friends greet eachother as "Hey slut..." and think its ok. I personly dont think that it is and i think that by women calling eachother sluts it makes it ok for men to as well.
Dani - I personally wouldn't threaten someone (I'm not much of a fighter, nor would I want to be one) but since it probably gave them something to think about: nice work!