Whenever we’re out in public and feel as though our safety is at risk, sometimes, we’re unsure of what to do. Many people are too afraid to speak up and put their foot down when they feel as though they are being followed by a stranger, or being targeted.
Many of us will try to walk faster, run into a busy place, or even lose the person before we end up speaking up and speaking out. However, making a scene in public can actually be pretty beneficial when you’re in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation. Why? One Twitter thread proves that the louder you are more likely you are to get help from complete strangers.
Twitter user @PiaGlenn tweeted an experience she had in the city where a young girl on the street caused a scene after she was being followed for a few blocks.
So earlier today a young sista on the street uptown started shouting "Leave me alone! You been following me for blocks!" There was a guy walking behind her who suddenly got enraged at her yelling and yelled back, mostly variations on the theme of "Fuck you, bitch"
— @PiaGlenn (@PiaGlenn) August 3, 2018
She shouted to “no one in particular” that she essentially felt unsafe. Bystanders began to rush to her side.
She then shouted, to no one in particular, "I don't know him! He won't leave me alone!"
His reaction confirmed she didn't know him and fam…4 total strangers and myself got in formation in front of her like Bey herself had gotten off the 2 train and commanded it
— @PiaGlenn (@PiaGlenn) August 3, 2018
They began to all stand up to the guy who was following this poor girl down the street.
Somebody's stud auntie took the lead and said "You wanna follow people? Come on, try and get through all of us. I dare you."
(She then stepped forward and did the wild b-boy stance and I was so into it but that's not the point rn)
— @PiaGlenn (@PiaGlenn) August 3, 2018
I was looking at the young lady, didn't have to even ask #YouOKSis b/c she clearly wasn't.
It seemed like she had been putting up with his street harassment for a few blocks and had finally had enough
— @PiaGlenn (@PiaGlenn) August 3, 2018
The bystanders gave the girl an opportunity to get away and find safety away from this predator.
She and I held eye contact and I don't think I'm imagining that we shared such a common feeling of anger and fatigue in that brief moment. We did a lil' Black Head Nod and she took off quickly around the corner.
MEANWHILE…
— @PiaGlenn (@PiaGlenn) August 3, 2018
Who, was clearly showcasing his toxic masculinity in public.
This man is cursing us out and now kiiiinda stepping forward as if to fight a line of 5 ppl who clearly had time today, but then jumping back when he got close
He probably thought he looked like a boxer. He looked more like a 6 yr old trying to jump double-dutch for the 1st time
— @PiaGlenn (@PiaGlenn) August 3, 2018
And then this whole entire grown man started kicking one of those garbage cans they have on some street corners. He yanked some of the trash out and chucked it in our direction, throwing a full-on fit.
I said "Yo don't lash out at your family like that, this isn't their fault"
— @PiaGlenn (@PiaGlenn) August 4, 2018
They all went on with their lives after literally saving this girl’s life and helping her find safety from this creep–as though nothing had happened.
When it was clear that his plan to be a goddammed creep in this moment was foiled, and enough time had passed that the young lady was long gone, he stomped away and we 5 strangers just…disassembled. With not even a word.
— @PiaGlenn (@PiaGlenn) August 4, 2018
It just goes to show you, making a scene can help save your life.
Each instance of SH requires its own evaluation, prioritizing yr safety. But lemme say this: women, femmes, trans sisters, nonbinary luvs & those of us who experience it so often,
Sometimes the thing to do is make a scene. You don't owe a stranger politeness if you feel unsafe????
— @PiaGlenn (@PiaGlenn) August 4, 2018
What this Twitter thread shows perfectly is not only the idea that causing a scene can help you, but that bystander intervention is just as important. What is bystander intervention? Essentially what these strangers did to help save this poor girl.
I’m sure there are many times in your life where you have witnessed something you are uncomfortable with or think is outright wrong. Maybe you saw a guy slip something into a girl’s drink at a party. Maybe you saw a drunk boyfriend grabbing his girlfriend on the street.
Whatever it may be–standing up and saying something can potentially save someone’s life. We’re not saying that you need to swoop in with a full unitard and cape to save someone, but stepping out and saying “hey, this isn’t okay,” can potentially help more than it can hurt.
According to Kait Scalisi, a sex educator who works with colleges and healthcare organizations to promote sex-positive approaches to violence prevention:
“If we’re living in communities and we don’t take a stand and we don’t intervene in a way that is safe and comfortable for us, we’re essentially saying that ‘This is OK, I’m allowing this to continue. That’s not to say that everybody is responsible for this. But it is to say that we all can play a role in ending it.”
As the New York City MTA loves to remind everyone: if you see something, say something.