I watched a man following a woman into a store once. He was trying to talk to her, she ignored him. So he started cursing at her.
I had my child with me so I was already “hyped with the protect” thing moms often have. I told my son to hold my hand on the side of my body opposite the man. I walked into the store, determined to not even look at him.
I saw him curse at a stranger, I knew he was unsafe. I noticed he saw me from the corner of my eye — I kept one on him and one on my child. As soon as I noticed he was walking my direction, I looked at my son and said,
“Go over to that display and stay put until I come get you. Now. Go.”
The man continued his approach. I didn’t let him get one word out of his mouth before I stepped forward in his direction and said,
“You need to get away from me right this second.”
He looked confused. He froze. I stomped the ground hard with my feet and raised my voice slightly,
“YOU NEED to get away from ME right THIS second.”
He stood still, started to try and form words again. I was becoming more panicked inside. Every bone in my body told me this man was not safe. I stomped the ground hard, I picked up my pace, I opened my shoulders and straightened my body, I made myself as big as I could and YELLED,
“I SAID GET AWAY! THIS IS MY SPACE RIGHT HERE! AWAY IS OVER THERE!”
As I pointed, the man realized I was not backing down. I saw the wheels turning, he was becoming afraid of me. He put his hands up in the air and started slowly backing away. I stomped the ground again and YELLED,
“MOVE FASTER! I SAID GET AWAY FROM ME NOW!”
He turned and ran the other direction.
What is my point? Well, I’m here to tell you, that you had every right to tell that man to get away from you. He already showed you that he was not safe. The only person you need concern yourself with in a situation like that is yourself. You have a right to protect yourself. In fact, it is your job. Don’t question your gut. Don’t worry about his feelings. That disgusting racist person was not interested in being kind, worried about YOUR feelings or even your rights. He was dangerous. You did the right thing.
