It occurred to me a little too late that I was in a sketchy part of town. In anticipation of making it to my massage appointment, I had actually gotten off my bus five blocks before my stop- and by the looks of things that was the least of my problems.
If it wasn't enough that I was young and clearly a college student, I was also wearing a bright pink t- shirt proclaiming that sex-education saves lives; needless to say, I stuck out like a sore thumb in the southern town. Yet, even with my fingers trembling I was convinced that I would be perfectly safe, that I didn't have to rely on anyone for help. My cell-phone was neatly tucked away in my handbag and my fear was causing me to start talking to myself. "It'll be okay Priya, you've dealt with 2,000 pound horses, so a dangerous person is nothing to you." Much like my pride, my pep talks weren't very helpful but neither was the cooing I received from the next bus stop I contemplated waiting at.
This article is reprinted here with permission from the author. Priyanka Bhatia is a 19 year old Pre-Veterinary Sophomore at Louisiana State University and a writer for the Daily Reveille.
tHANK U Annie, It was thrilling how you were helped by strangers but your bravity also made my hair stand on end, what if they had led you to some lybrynth or sthg dangerous, always keep us posted
Say, Hellow, and laugh at anyone you meet in any environment, it will cost you nothing but in return people will start to know you and will love you. cost you nothing but most loved one
Y.Kambi
Thank you for sharing your story. I firmly believe that good & bad always have coexisted. Somehow we talk about bad very easily and mostly , and normally always forget good. Appreciate good things a little more and one will find more joy and happiness.
this is supposed to make me feel good? A society that constructs the paradigm that "Annie" describes without considering the policies that creates the have/have not reality is something i am ashamed to have ever been a part of. Where an ideology founded hundreds of years ago has continued to dominate systems despite new research on human well being, planet systems and resources, is absurd. Everything needs to grow, change and adapt to its environment in order to thrive. We are in systems failure and the feel good stories, the rags to riches and all the do good bandages, don't stop the cancer. The cancer will grow until it kills its host or we quit "feeding" it by changing the paradigm from profit to potential.
Nice story but they could have easily have led you to a place where mugging you was easily accomplished. Your story encourages others to have blind faith in human beings, not a good idea. I amnot syaing people who approach youon the street should notbe met with kindness and respect but also with caution, they are "street smart" and can use what appears to be kindness against you. Please be careful when approached.
Recently a friend told me of being in a gas station when an upset woman asked her to help. She was on empty and had forgotten her wallet. My friend thought it a scam and turned her down. One wonders if the shoe were on the other foot how it might be.
Thank you for this story, Priya. If more of us told our stories of kindness, generosity and goodwill, the world would be a much more gentle place. The media looks for the most gruesome, sensational stories to tell, leaving us with feelings of fear and doom. Stories like your own.....an they happen daily, in every corner of the country, describe a more common human spirit. Thank you again.
On Jan 2, 2012 Prshenoy wrote:
Some what similar incidence, about jumping to forming opinion. I was driving thru one locality from where people are not generally accepted easily in my society. Suddenly I felt my tires have gone flat and was upset to find indeed it was. I was little uncomfortable for being in that locality. I got out, tried to find some mending shop but could not. I just rolled over my sleeves and started my virtual haggling for changing the tyre. Three boys of about 20 were watching my circus eagerly some time. After about 10 miutes they approached. "Uncle leave it to us, please give that jack,where is your spare tire"? I was little uncomfortable but was with no option. Submitted my self to my fate, loin flat 10 minutes tire was changed, flat tirewas loaded in to the boot and the 'Huckle Bury Fins' were about to turn to get back to their business(?). I did not want to insult by offering money, so I asked them to join me to some Hotel. The reply which was given about 4 yrs back is still fresh in my memory,"Uncle we did not do this for money. We saw you struggling, so we just wanted to help you. We don't need money", whereas the their condition was speaking some thing different. Now friends you tell me who is cultured?
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