Laura's Corner
I work very hard and am attending college to obtain my degree in the Human Service field. Writing makes me feel alive and gives me the opportunity to touch those whom I would not be able to otherwise. Last but not least, I have been blessed with two amazing daughters who love me completely and support my dreams. Feel free to contact me with questions, concerns or feedback.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
If you have ever taken time to watch the popular television show, most would agree that the situations bring about a flurry of emotions. Anger, frustration and others along that line, we watch, hoping maybe just one person will step forward to intervene on behalf of the victim.
A recent situation brings to light what real people do in real situations. There were no cameras, no crew and the victim was not an actress.
Waiting for a recent concert to begin, I was enjoying the atmosphere. To set the mood, I am sitting on the aisle seat, the stairs immediately to my right. Across the stairs were an adjacent set of bench seating. I believe we were in row 23. I notice a woman walking up the stairs of the grandstand, her 3 year old following in tow. She begins yelling at her partner or spouse. “Pull out the tickets, where are our seats, will you just pull out the tickets”, so on and so forth. This caught my attention as they proceeded up the stairs. As I glance to my right, I notice the woman coming back down the stairs, walking into the isle immediately to my right. What I saw next caused me to almost stop breathing.
The woman, attempting to get to her seats, shoves her three year old so hard that the child is thrown to the ground. This small, defenseless child, flat on the ground, has not been asked to simply move forward. She was not politely spoken to by her mother. She was assaulted and has absolutely no idea that she has rights as a human being.
Within a nano-second, everyone who had just witnessed the event has stood up. The child is attempting to stand; the mother has grabbed her arm in a fashion which makes me believe the child’s arm is being removed from her socket. There is chaos. I am on my feet yelling, “No, that is not ok”. I walk towards the mother, block her in the aisle, and the mother puts her daughter on her hip. I yell for someone to call 9-1-1. I ask the kid with the badge checking tickets to help, his response, “There is nothing I can do.” I tell someone, anyone, to get security, the police, whomever it will take to ensure this woman is reported.
As the woman is walking towards me, I continue to hold my arms out. “You aren’t going anywhere until the Police get here”, I inform her. She states, “Everything is ok, I am a child care provider”. My immediate reply, “I can guaranty you within 24 hours you will have your license pulled.” Another woman, who has been actively involved in the process, jumps behind me as we reach the landing. We block her from continuing her decent. The Police arrive and we move aside. Four of us follow to ensure we give our accounts of the events. Within 15-20 minutes we are told that they have enough information to file with the District Attorney. We as witnesses exchange information and return to our seats.
With that in mind, we are faced with “what would you do” situations on a daily basis. A parent belittling a child, children out of control, men and women abusing one another in public. Co-workers telling off-colored jokes, spend more time gossiping and spreading rumors instead of working.
When faced with these types of situations, what is the normal response? Initially, one internalizes everything from A-Z. Unless the situation requires a call to 9-1-1, we normally let it go. We feel sorry for the victim and try to rationalize our responsibility. Do we refrain because we really don’t want to be inconvenienced or because it is none of our business?
Given the fact I have a voice, I speak up. I have confronted more than one person whom has placed their hands in a not so gentle manner on their child. Someday, if I was correct in my intervention, that child will remember that one person, maybe more, who made a difference and was not afraid to stand up. It may, in turn, give them the strength to stand up for someone years from now who is also in the same situation as themselves.
We are faced with situations every day which require us to be a hero for someone else. We must defend those who cannot defend themselves. If you feel that you are unable to assist, or fear for your own safety, call 9-1-1. Never walk away from a person in need. After all, would you want someone to walk away from you, your children or loved ones in your time of need? Neither would I!
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