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 beleive 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 valuably.