So I was going food shopping at the local centre (or mall, as US folks may call it). Saw an altercation between four women - two asian women (with a five year old boy) and two white women. There's a bit of a thing in Australia at the moment of white trash rejects losing their racist @#$% in public and abusing non whites (usually asian women or muslim women) for no reason other than they hate people from other races. Maybe this was that, maybe it wasn't but I always intervene when I see this kind of rubbish happening. And of course I copped a face full of invective and abuse from the white women - an older woman and (presumably) her adult daughter. Apparently the 5 year old child with the asian women had accidentally hit/bumped/grazed/missed the older woman in the leg with a ball (which I couldn't see) and apparently lacking any anger management or social skills they decided to go full on rage monster about it. And all I managed to do was make it worse.
The younger white, close to foaming at the mouth it seemed, woman called me "a man" which I must say I was rather surprised about!!! I kind of take it this was intended as an insult (although I think I would have preferred "b@#$%" or even the c word!!) - but did she really think I was a man? I mean, I was dressed in skinny jeans, had a t shirt (obvious boobs), handbag, jewellery, etc so I'd expect that if this woman really thought I was a man she would have launched into a whole lot of of other derogatory commentary about me (you know, "->-bleeped-<-", "->-bleeped-<-", "homo"... all the "classic" gay/trans insults) but no. So what was that all about??
Anyway, after managing to inflame the situation I just told the two asian women to walk away, which they tried to do with their kid, and of course the two dragons were still up for a fight. Some people. I started to look out for security, two young white guys got involved (on the side of the asian ladies) and copped an earful from the dragons. Sheesh. Anyway, I think the asian women and kid got away. Way to spoil the morning shop.
I know why I intervene in these situations - I hate racism and racists (although I have no proof that was the case here, just seemed like it), and I'd hate to be the person who did nothing to help someone facing racial abuse. Problem is, every time I do step in I'm putting my personal safety at risk. Several years ago I was lucky I didn't get an empty beer bottle in the face from some drunk white trash moron who was mouthing off against two Indian students on a train.
Problem is, I don't think I intervene in the right way. Is there a right way? Maybe I should have just called security and kept out of it. Next time I will.
