What Would You Do?

Every Tuesday night at 10 PM I watch John Quiñones What Would You Do?
It is series of reports that test human nature through hidden cameras. After watching the show last night, I begin to think of some of my past experiences.


During my sophomore year of high school, I was riding a sparsely full D train home while reading a book. From time to time, I would look up to be sure that I didn’t miss my stop. As the train approached 59th Street, I looked up and I saw a male sitting across from me. This man, approximately 40 years of age, was fondling his genitals. I figured that he was just scratching or "fixing his package." I noticed that he was looking at me with a flirtatious smirk on his face. Some men are always gawking at women inappropriately. Usually once you turn away and don’t give them any attention they move on to their next prey. So after glancing down to see if maybe my school shirt was unbuttoned, I quickly looked away, and continued to read my book. As the train slowly approached 125th Street, I looked up again and that’s when I saw that this predator was sitting there masturbating while looking at me. He had his entire, erect penis out groping it. I went numb and I couldn’t move or say anything. I was angry, embarrassed, shocked, and scared. I was VIOLATED. I gave him a sharp, cold look. I shouted to get someone’s attention on the train, but no words came out. As soon as the train pulled in to the station, he ran out the doors and vanished. It happened so fast that I didn’t have time to do anything. For the rest of my train ride, I wondered if anyone else on the train saw what occurred. Now that I think of it, there was no way possible that no one didn’t.


So I ask why not say something when you see something?


Unfortunately, this wouldn’t be the last time that I was violated in public. One late summer day, I had scheduled to meet up with friends to go running. I decided to go to the park and warm up while I waited for them to arrive. As I walked towards the park, I could see a yellow taxi driving up the hill. I took a sip of water and called my friends again to let them know I was waiting. As I put on my backpack, I looked around and I saw that the taxi backed up. I also noticed a young man with a white tee, doo rag, and a fitted NY cap walking away from a trash bin. I figured that he had just thrown his trash out. I continued to look at the young man because he was looking at me. I didn’t have on anything special. Just a cocoa brown velour track suit. I thought "Dang, he’s still trying to holla even if I have on my workout clothes." Just as I put my headphones in my ear and turned my Ipod on full blast, I saw him running towards me with NO PANTS ON. As he ran, he took his white tee off and continued to come towards me in a light blue thong. I immediately began running as I took off my backpack, and took my phone out to dial 911. I shouted "I’m calling the cops." He didn’t care. He ran towards me faster. He reached his hands out to me like he was going to choke me. Fortunately, a woman was driving alongside the park and she stopped with a confused look on her face. She rolled down her window to ask me about the situation. While I was explaining to her what happened, he got into the taxi and sped off. Thankfully, the woman made sure that I got home okay. If it weren’t for her, I would have gotten attacked.


Do you think that it was the right or wrong thing for her to do? Would you have done the same?