My Blog
On commuting... and the gropers on train
Mon, November 20, 2006 - 6:12 AMThen as the train slid into the platform 2 stations before mine, a woman spoke out, saying that this guy was touching her and that she wants him to get off the train because she's taking him to the police. Good for her for speaking out! This big man in his 30's came to her rescue in confronting him, but it took 3 people (the woman, the big guy, and the train station worker) and about 5 minutes to get him off the train. The whole entire time he was denying it and refusing to get off the train.
I was surprised that this woman spoke out, and that this big guy came to her rescue. I really do commend these guys for thier courage. Sadly, it so often happens (or so I hear) that most women go without reporting, and even when they speak out or ask for help, people just ignore.
Grouping and sexual violence on the train is a huge issue in Japan, and it completely freaks me out. It's happened to me before and I've spoke out about it also, but it is such an act that makes you feel so violated, invaded, and powerless. There was a time when I was in high school, that I confronted a man about it, who denied it but ran off the train and no one around me helped.
There are such thing as "women only" parts of the train at certain time of the day, and the law has become a bit more strict now and there's more advocacy against "chikan", but it still is a huge problem.
So I decided to leave the house half an hour early starting tomorrow to avoid the rush hour. I'd much rather drag myself out of bed a bit earlier so that I can sit comfortably and read a book than to have to put myself in a situation where I would have to worry about if the guy behind me is trying to feel up on my ass.
Japan Tries Women-Only Train Cars to Stop Groping:
abcnews.go.com/GMA/International/story
Mon, November 20, 2006 - 6:12 AM -
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6 Comments
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Unsu...
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Fri, November 24, 2006 - 1:28 PM
That's nuts! It's crazy that some guys are so pathetic...but on the other hand, kudos to the big guy in his 30's who stood up for the lady! Good to see that chivalry still exists in the world. BTW, do women in Japan ever carry mace with them??? Effective deterrant;D
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Tue, November 28, 2006 - 6:41 AM
gropers...and other stories
I would like to invite you to keep your keitai handy for such rascals whose hands wander out of bounds. I have been told that should you spot a groper--or have the unfortunate experience again, take that MF's picture with your keitai, send it to the local newspaper and television station, (and police office) and let the media work their magic. The jerk will wish he never sprouted hands.
Be safe dear one. harmony |
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Wed, November 29, 2006 - 7:49 AM
Thanks harmony!
I have a no-good very unjapanese keitai that does nothing but to accept or make calls... boo... but i had friends that used to carry around a needle when I was in hs and stab gropers silently... well, hopefully I wouldnt have to come across with one for I'll definitely have to make a scene. regardless, it's a huge social problem that japan's been facing for so many years now and a downfall of living in or commuting to the city that needs to be dealt with. d- mace or stungun would NEVER work in a crowded train! but I've carried mace when I lived in the states and I'll defnitely consider investing into one again here... |
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Wed, November 29, 2006 - 10:54 AM
metaphysics...
the inverse of my previous post here is this...The Law of Attraction suggests that which is like unto itself is drawn OR what you think about expands and generally that which you spend most of your time thinking about has a unique way of becoming part of your experience. Not trying to get too deep here, but safety, peace, security, health, good food, cute boys and girls...I think you get where I'm headed here...focused thoughts on these thing and the like tend to invite such things into our experiences. Suffice it to say, maybe, gropers are looking for those ready to be groped. Big ass Maybe. um no pun. (sorry)
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Thu, November 30, 2006 - 9:57 PM
harmony-
I think I see your point in maybe being the devils advocate or that it wasn’t really your intention to sound that way but you don’t really believe that the people who are groped or raped or mugged were done so because they were thinking/worrying about it and that energy attracted them to be attacked, do you? |
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Tue, October 30, 2007 - 1:06 AM
Law of Attraction...
Let me say that I haven't avoided the question (what has it been? Almost a year?) I just haven't been on Tribe much in the past eleven months --thinking about different things--and I've forgotten all about that post way back then. I also would like to say that it is not my intention to sway the beliefs of others one way or another. I suspect people will believe what the choose to believe or believe what others believe or ...something else.
I believe that thoughts are things. I believe that (in a general sort of way) for someone to grope or rape or mug --not so positive --or cuddle, kiss, shake hands, appreciate, celebrate --generally pretty positive-- or whatever to another human being, or child or woman or...that there is most likely some thinking going on. In the book, "Ask and it is Given" by Jerry and Esther Hicks, it is suggested that our thoughts --both positive and not so positive--expand and when they become a great part of our thought reality (thinking/worrying/celebrating/partying it matters not whether they are positive or negative emotions) then perhaps these repeated thoughts segway into our life experience reality. These authors suggest this and in many ways I agree, though I understand that many people may find these ideas difficult to accept. I however am not mentioning them with the hope of others accepting, unless it serves them well. On thing that resonated with me from this ideology was a quote from the book. If you think about something that you really, really, really want. (generally) It comes very quickly. If you think about something that you really, really, really don't want. (generally) It comes very quickly. I don't know this for a fact...but it may be more useful to spend time and energy thinking about what is wanted and desired with clarity and expectation, and hopefulness rather than spending time and energy thinking about what is not wanted with doubt, angst, frustration and pessimism. Now my answer to your question. Quite possibly. Finally, a humble apology. It is said that people generally judge others by their behavior and themselves by their intentions. My intention was to respond in a loving manner to your post even though the concept is controversial. harmony ***I think I see your point in maybe being the devils advocate or that it wasn’t really your intention to sound that way but you don’t really believe that the people who are groped or raped or mugged were done so because they were thinking/worrying about it and that energy attracted them to be attacked, do you? |