Girlfight

Jamie: 17th May 2005 - 14:39 GMT

It's true a lot of people come here to post pictures and that's cool but the text -- the stories are the glue that holds the hole thing together. I hope you'll provide us with more glue in the future

Peter: 17th May 2005 - 14:44 GMT

jj- thanks for pasing this story on to us. like jamie, i really enjoy the text entries too, sometimes alot more than the photo posts, as theyre alot more informative and imaginative.

ive seen situations like this play out here in nyc also... usually similar teenage kids getting out of school. maybe on the subway, maybe on the sidewalk... the herd mentality is often strong enoug hto trump social responsibility or even common sense. its a shame.

in other news, i was at coney island last night and witnessed a hobo who was so drunk he looked like he was convulsing to death (whilst spilling his bottle of whiskey), and collapsing on the sidewalk in front of the wonder wheel. i called 911 from a payphone and gave the details and location to the nonplussed operator.

i then went to get a beer and while in line at the concession, i saw the ambulance arrive and collect the man... though i couldnt tell if he was still conscious or alive.

it took almost 20 minutes for the ambulance to arrive.

elaine: 17th May 2005 - 14:53 GMT

you don't know what will happen, so you can't guess in advance as to if intervention is a good idea or not. i tend not to join in if there are other people, and sometimes i feel bad about it, though i did shout to a drowning man once, but that was after my friend did. one time though there were 2 young guys fighting in the street, and i was the only witness. i told them to stop and said i would phone the police. the aggressor was fucked off with me, and asked me what business it was of mine, and i said if he killed him it would be my business. i was completely faking it, had no mobile phone, and was totally alone myself, so it was really risky. the other guy ran off though and i walked on. i reflected that having been a teacher makes me less afraid of young men than i should be, given my own relative weakness, but it did sort of work -then

JJ: 18th May 2005 - 01:01 GMT

Thanks for the feedback!

Jamie, I'll post again soon.

Peter, herd mentality indeed. Like a gang or something.

Elaine, Stepping in is always risky, but sometimes it's just the right thing to do. Sounds like you did the right thing in your case.

elaine: 18th May 2005 - 07:17 GMT

oddly, sometimes you have the edge in these situations by being female? and obviously weaker/not giong to join in/maybe appealing to some other part of people's brains, reminding them of their mother, whatever. it's good when it works, but it could backfire so easily, and even before i was a crip (meaning here slang for cripple, not gang member!) i couldn't run fast - and of course noone can run faster than a speeding bullet, however i think it links in with some things touched on elsewhere, and it suits the state/govt for us to live in a fearful way, and sometimes reaching out and being human is better. i wonder if, had i or someone else called the police, for instance, the situation would have been dissipated or amplified ultimately? i can't know the answer to that. sometimes the police here are actually quite good at calming things, but having watched pitch battles with rioters strikers and protesters, i am reserved about assuming things are best dealt with by them anyway - and also there is the moment to be acted - or not - in. i think i was lucky, teachers have been beaten up by students for instance, for interfering outside college, and if you are used to telling off lads, but having the backup of tough blokes in security it can make you a bit cavalier

Mr Norway..: 31st Aug 2005 - 02:40 GMT

Oh.. so it is some people in your country who have the nerve to do someting when crime like this goes on.. Hurray for that Woman or Lady to be polite. Well, i come from a rather small country where we have the same violent crime problems.. but here we are afraid to do somthing when a crime is commited.. And the Police dosen't have the man power to solve crime acts.. Only 3 out of 100 cases is solved.. It is good that someone has the nerve to CARE.. Isn't Philly a pretty crime related place to live at..?

Mr Norway..: 31st Aug 2005 - 02:42 GMT

I have a question... in america i have heard and read that you can have a gun for protection.. is that true??

ian: 26th Sep 2005 - 10:04 GMT

Did I ever mention that "Kids" is one of my favorite movies?