Day 28.

There have been a lot of terrible stories in the news here in the past couple of days. An officer was assaulted while out with her son; her assailant is being charged with a hate crime. 

Another woman was attacked in the subway after leaving school. She goes to the same school as my husband.

Both women wear hijabs. Both women were attacked because they are visibly Muslim.

This has to stop. This is our town and we all belong here. How can I defuse this if it happens on my next subway ride?

One possibility I’ve seen passed around:

I’ve heard about people successfully using more confrontational methods, but I usually travel alone, or with my kids. 

Here’s another very comprehensive guide to all kinds of different situations you can find yourself in. I found the section labeled “What can I do in public?” To be most helpful.

Yes I want to keep myself safe, and to keep my family safe. But I also need to be able to look myself, my children, and my fellow human beings, in the eye.

Today’s action: be prepared to speak up.