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Had to get outside today. Found myself at a park, where I felt compelled to defend an immigrant family’s right to be there.
I must admit, it took me a few minutes to speak up. I was initially reluctant to do so—I am not young. I am not in good health. I am not of large frame. And the young men were not nice.
So, I gathered my thoughts & my courage & then, said what I said. Something disarming & then, something more pointed. I ended up babbling something about the gift of this beautiful sun shiny day & was relieved when they turned & walked away.
The father shared his appreciation for my “kind manner.” Said his wife had wanted to leave but when he heard me, he said to her, “See. See, there are still kind people here.” We continued to talk for a bit and they were so lovely. I am happy to have met them & their beautiful children. I am happy I found the courage to say *something.*
Still, I cried all the way home.
We have to stand up for each other now.
@wren May I ask what you said? Both the disarming part and the more pointed? I expect events like this to be more and more frequent, and examples of what to say, could help
Disarming part? Nothing brilliant. A “Hey Fellas” greeting w my best grandmotherly demeanor & asked if they “come to play at this toddler playground often.” Told them I didn’t recall ever seeing them around. (Didn’t mention I’d never been there before.) Rambled on about liking to walk about the park, rest up on benches in the shade & take in the sounds of joyful children laughing & playing.
Pointed part, “what a great *public* playground for *all* our children; childhood innocence; we *all* have the right to bring our children here; *all* have the responsibility of protecting them; keep them safe while they're playing.
I was alarmed when they lined up in a militant stance and stared me down but there was something in their facial expressions—a sort of *practiced* vibe—that I found comical. In turn, perhaps foolishly, I just started laughing & added, “Look at *all* these precious little ones. Aren’t they adorable?”
That’s when they just—left. Without another nasty word.1/2
I’m a bit taken aback by all the attention this post has gotten because as you can see, I mostly just blabbered a lot in an attempt to break the tension & serve as a distraction, of sorts.
Please see @AIF-Massachusetts comment. I’m sure you’ll find better resources to guide you. I’m looking forward to gaining a better skill set than what I was able to come up with on the fly. Hopefully, we won’t need to employ that skill set but I’m afraid we will and for some time to come. 2/2