Well put myself in harm's way for a principle yet again today.
Biking home from the theatre I see this guy at Q&21st working his way inside an apartment via the window. He was just detaching a security bar (what a joke) as I approached.
I asked him "why aren't you using the door like normal people? Wouldn't that be easier?"
Well he said that it was his brother's place. I suggested that the brother should let him in. When told he wasn't home, I suggested maybe he should wait. He insisted he had a right and I said someone breaking in would say exactly that. So he asked me why I didn't call the cops. I said I didn't have a phone. Tried to tell me to get lost a couple times and again why didn't I go call the cops. I said if I went to call the cops that he'd just go ahead while I was away but if I stood there and annoyed him he'd eventually go away. He says "well why don't i just beat you up then? Huh?" I said "now why would you want to do that?" Well that wasn't quite what he expected so he asked me why I cared. I said I care about my city. He said it wasn't my city as he got on his bike. He shouted back that it was Indian land. I hollered at him that that was racism.
When he was out of sight I went to the phone booth at P&21st and called 911 and reported it. ~grin~ The operator chuckled when I told her the "annoying" line. Two people standing by listening to the story did too. I didn't realize it was funny when I said it but maybe that moment was just too tense for that.
Was I afraid when he suggested beating me up? Yes. I wondered how I could keep my bike between us. He even reached towards my bike. I never understand why I get away with it except that I keep my voice calm and my words honorable and I do not make threatening moves. I also do not show my fear. I wear it as a quiet accessory on my shoulders. I am not the irresistable force but the unmovable object. In the ancient paradox of the struggle between the irresistable force and the unmoveable object I believe the object has the greater strength simply for it's passive courage. We must not let fear wrap us into small boxes. Courage has no value till it is used.