This morning I boarded a crowded BART train and even though there were people standing, you found it necessary to sprawl across a two-person seat with your briefcase placed next to you. Not wanting to stand for 40 minutes I tapped you on the shoulder to wake you from your slumber. I could not rouse you. I gently shook your shoulder and still could not rouse you. Finally, I took your briefcase and placed it in your lap. That woke you.
I'll never forget your response which is word-for-word etched into my memory. "I'm going to tell you this once and only once. If you ever wake me again, I will have your ass put in jail."
I was quiet and slightly in shock from your threat. But I wanted to remind you that we are all adults and as adults, we should be able to share seats as they were meant to be shared. I turned to you and said "And, I'd like to remind you..."
At that point you cut me off and said "I don't need you to tell me anything." I could hear the anger in your voice. I realized that this was not a conversation, and that you had no intent of being a civil adult. I decided to just keep my mouth closed and continue no further.
However, you continued to rant about what a bad person I was and how I was being disrespectful. Having had enough of your ranting I said, "You are only talking, you are not doing anything." I pointed to the BART operator's cab and said, "Have the driver call the BART police so he can rectify the injustices I've heaped upon you."
I was not ready for your reply to this offer. "That won't do anything. You white people get away with everything." Yes, you pulled the race card. I could have replied with the fact that I'm gay and have had my share of prejudice and injustice including two gay-bashings and one unprovoked tear-gassing of a nightclub in Tennessee. But, I decided that information was irrelevant to the situation at hand.
Instead, I sat in silence for the rest of the journey. I tried to read my book, but was so shook up by the nature of your accusations I could not concentrate on a single paragraph. You're stop was the West Oakland station. I stood up to allow your exit from the train.
You final barb was, "I hope you, your family, and all your friends get cancer and die, because you are a bad man." I thanked your for your opinion and wished you a nice day and much happiness in the future. I really meant it too. I assume you are a very unhappy person who has had so many bad experiences in life that you unfortunately have come to expect bad experiences at every turn. That is no way to live. I wish you peace of mind.
But here is what you didn't get to see. As you exited the train I was congratulated on my bravery and was even told by one woman that I was her hero for the day. Another rider turned to tell me that several others had tried to wake him to no avail before I even entered the train. Am I a hero? No, I'm just a person who had enough and said "NO".
You told me not to wake you ever again. I will respect your wishes. Next time I will get the train operator or the BART police to deal with this task. But rest assured, you and those like you who seem to feel entitled to twice the seating space as anyone else will be vigilantly thwarted by my efforts.
At no time did I insult you, call you names, or do any task for which I was, am, or ever will be embarrassed by. I urged all those who applauded my efforts to speak up and not tolerate such rude and immature behavior. The more we let this kind of thing happen, the more it will happen. I urge all BART riders to put their fear aside and stand up for what is right, just, and good for the soul of our world.
Your reign of passenger tyranny is coming to an end.