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In reply to the discussion: Dear White People: If you see something, say something [View all]EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)It is so good to be reminded that people like you are all amongst us. It took incredible courage to do what you did. But I can only imagine what it meant to that person lying on the ground to have you there holding their hand.
This so often gets missed in these conversations - and it's something I'm always trying to convey. This is not academic. It's not about you or me. Imagine what it is like for THAT person in the midst of the situation. Think about what it means to them to have someone - even one person - empathasize with them and reach out and show them kindness and offer them some measure of protection.
And, by the same token, imagine what it must be like to be them when NO one is helping them, to hear footsteps and cars approach as they hope and pray that SOMEONE PLEASE stops and helps them - only to hear the footsteps and cars go past without stopping, leaving them there in their fear and and danger and isolation. Yes, maybe they'll survive it, but why should they deal with it alone?
The same thing occurs when I try to get people to understand that, even though the target of discrimination may be handling their oppressor just fine, it is a very isolating and frustrating experience to have to do it alone, no matter HOW adept we have become at handling it. Just as Wonkwest so eloquently described what it felt like to have just one person step to take their side - that's sometimes all it takes.
You, my dear, are awesome.