In lue of the new political changes this country is facing there has been a rise to social unrest among the people. It would be hard to deny the fact that people are angrier than ever today. According to a CNN /ORC study in Dec, 2015, 69% of Americans rated in either "very angry" or "somewhat angry" with the direction the United States was going. And what are ways people let that anger out?
Many just vent to friends and family about their frustrations but that isn't the case for everyone. Some people turn to violence and hateful actions. The state of New York has noted rise of 115% in hate crimes since this time last year. From just Nov. 8 of this year, 2016 there has been 43 incidents that have happened. Of those 43 incidents 24 have been against the Jewish population. Hate crimes against the Muslim population have also risen from 12 to 25 in the month of November this year. The most recent cases being, a Muslim women was attacked by a man last Sunday in a Donkin' Donuts store, he put her in a headlock and threaten to kill her because he hated Muslims. Another incident happened in New York City where a Muslim Metropolitan Transportation Authority employee, who was off duty at the time, was pushed down a flight of stairs in Grand Central Station by a man who called her a terrorist. She suffered injuries in both her ankle and knee.
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In 2015 there was 257 reported hate crimes against Muslims, either by attacking mosques or from other crimes, that the FBI has cataloged. This is a 67% increase from the year before, 2014. Those numbers were only a small percent from the total of 5,818 of all hate crimes reported in 2015.
Though those numbers are depressing this is not the point of this article. I'm here to say that there are things we can do as a community to make sure these moments don't go by without someone standing up and supporting each other. So here are some suggestions you and others can do to show that this hateful behavior is not the answer and we as a nation should not tolerate it.
Engage the attacker only if safe!
First thing is that you don't need to confront that assaulter. Putting yourself in danger by directly confronting the person attacking, whether verbally or not, doesn't help the victim if your down too. If a situation looks safe then approaching the harasser is an option. When you do approach changing the subject and trying to distract the harasser would be an option.
Talk to the victim
Other ways to intervene without confronting the harasser would be to engage with the victim. This could be done by asking for the time or try to get directions somewhere. This leaves the attacker feeling ignored and would distract him from t
heir attack. It's summed up really well in this comic by Maeril.
Get help
If interacting isn't something your comfortable with then getting more help is another great way to intervene. Depending on whats going on calling the police can help, getting another bystander as well be asking "Do you see what's going on?" Also taking a video of the situation as well, if doing that you must ask permission to upload it from the victim beucase it could end up making a situation worse if they feel it could put them in more danger.
Take a class
Due to the rise in hate crimes in New York City, activists have taken to teaching bystanders on how to take action against harassment. NPR covers the story, "Christen Brandt, a trainer with the Center for Anti-Violence Education, wants more bystanders who witness attacks and hate crimes to become what she calls "upstanders" — people who will intervene rather than just walk away." Brandt has been training over an hundred people in Queens on how to assist in a situation. She emphasizes the importance on not rushing into the situation thought. Make sure you take a moment to assess the situation and make sure you help in the best way possible.
Hollaback, a movement to end harassment online and on the streets, has also started an online training course for bystanders to learn how to best engage with harassers on the street.
Give support to organizations
There are other ways that can hep too if your in a safe area that doesn't have hate crimes taking place. Supporting organizations that help protect certain groups that have been targeted a a great alternative to show your support.
