So I was taking the bus home from work just the other day, a guy got on the bus. And you know when you know someone is gonna cause trouble? I knew. The entire ride he was loud, and brash, but so it goes. Until two ladies, who I believe were of south Asian heritage, hopped on the bus and sat across from him. And at that point, I knew. My headphones came off, and as expected, racial slurs left his mouth. I won’t repeat them, because it’s not necessary.Â
I wish more than anything that I had the guts to stand up to this guy, but as a small, young female, I knew it could turn violent quickly, and that’s not something that I am at all equipped for. This all happened just behind the driver, who did absolutely nothing. At all. Thankfully, the guy got off at the next stop because he wanted away from the two women. As another passenger was getting off, he said something that I couldn’t work out, about the guy. To which the driver responded “Yeah, well we’re not supposed to let him on anyway but…” No. Do your job. Keep your passengers safe. —H
This article appears in Jun 14-20, 2018.
As much as we would like to think that the driver of the bus has a responsibility to the passengers, I do not believe that it is their place to do anything about such issues. At the very least if violence breaks out, they would call the police.
Why didn’t you take a video of this jerk on your cell phone and post it online and give it to the authorities? It is most certainly the driver’s job to kick these racists off the bus. The safety of their patrons is their job. They collect our money for fares, they could be liable to negligence if they let nutcases on their bus to harass and act violent.
Seems a little ridiculous that you expect someone else to stand in where you didn’t. Maybe the bus driver felt un easy as you did and also hoped someone ELSE would stand up. Bus drivers aren’t trained in conflict resolution or violet situations. He’s driving a bus. Amazing you can pass the buck and still be angry that next person did it to.