Faggot.

[icebluenothing]

So I was walking through a parking lot, and a couple of cars had to stop to let me pass. I didn't quite hear the comment that was called out the window as I passed; I just heard that it ended in " -- faggot!"

I froze for a second on the far curb, shaken. The insult itself rolled right off me -- I don't much care what some stranger thinks my sexual orientation might be, frankly. But I hate getting yelled at from cars. Jangles the nerves.

The one clear thought in my mind: They can't do that. I could easily imagine the next person they yelled "faggot" at might well be someone the word would wound.

So I turned and looked, and saw that the car hadn't made it out of the parking lot -- they were stuck behind another car, waiting to turn out into traffic. I could run that far, catch up with them.

I did, and leaned in toward the driver's open window, and said, "Excuse me -- I didn't quite catch that."

Surprised-looking young man looked back at me and said, "Huh? -- I didn't say anything to you, dude."

"No? You're sure?"

"Yeah."

"All right, then. My mistake. Thank you," I said, and walked away.

Now, maybe I had been mistaken. But I don't think so.

And I like to think I impressed upon them a couple of simple truths:

• Just because you're in your precious car, it doesn't mean you're invulnerable.
• Nemo me impune lacessit. Your actions may well have consequences. That's right, I'm a crazy son of a bitch, and the next one you piss off might be even crazier.

I walked away still a little shaken, amazed at myself for having the courage to do it.

Funny -- I'd just come from a movie that reminds us that "with great power, comes great responsibility." I'd never really considered before that the reverse is just as true:

If you take on great responsibility, it lends you great power.

Comments

[calandria.livejournal.com]

I applaud you Six, I would not have had the courage to do that had I been in the same situation. :) the world needs more people willing to stand up not only for themselves, but for others.

[savannarama.livejournal.com]

"If you take on great responsibility, it lends you great power."

Very true; very cool. Thank you for doing that and sharing that.

Sorry to butt in unexpectedly; couldn't resist. :)

Did you forget?

[wendolen.livejournal.com]

You're a superhero!

[windbourne.livejournal.com]

A braver man than I. ^_^ Good work.

[cithra.livejournal.com]

Good for you! and thanks, from someone also jangled by that sort of aural assault.