Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Thoughts and afterthoughts on slapping someone.

There comes a time in your life when you realise that you have to stand up for yourself. That moment happened to me a couple of years back and I failed myself. But you see I am a woman and I got the chance to do that once again.

I was at the train station and there was a man standing a little too close to me. He brushed against me and when I asked me to keep his distance, he called me something he shouldn't have. Instinctively, I slapped him. The whole place was a little shocked and I got my ticket and walked off. It was a stupid reaction. If I had thought about it even for a second, I wouldn't have reacted at all. I would have pretended to not hear it at all. I hate admitting it to myself. Walking toward the train, I was mad at myself. What if he followed me? What if he saw me again at the station? What if I was hurt in anyway possible? A lady came up to me that time and said that she was proud of me, she would have wanted her daughter to do the same. Would she have stood up for me if that guy came to attack me back? Would any of those people intervene?

All day long, I walked with a smile and false sense of security. Met a couple of friends. Would they stand up and fight for me, if God forbid something had happened as a reaction to my slapping him?

I am home now. Should I consider myself lucky that I am safe? Should I be careful while going to the same place again?

Despite all these thoughts, I am really glad that I did what I did. I was told I am an inspiration to all the women out there. If you aren't the one that slaps, please support the one that does? Women or men, be supportive of the one that decides to stand up for themselves. I really glad and happy that a lot of people kept asking me where I was on twitter just to make sure that I was safe. It is reassuring to know that I don't stand alone. Thank you everyone who said anything nice to me today.

Btw, it stings like hell when you slap someone.

I can't end this post without reminding you of the podcast on rape and rape laws in India. 

Doing this as a part of  "I Stood Up" Blogathon. Click the link for details.





8 comments:

Melting Brownies said...

You did great! That guy is now going to have second thoughts about doing that again to any one else. The world is a teeny bit better place now due to you.
Salute to you!

Shanmuga Raja said...

kudos!!!

snehal said...

wish i could manage to stand up for myself like that...im proud of you too..:)

Unknown said...

You did a great job! Had a similar experience and had knocked the man with my knee...later was afraid of coming out on the road for a week at least with the same sense of fear u r experiencing now! :)

Ash said...

well done!! you did the right thing. this is the only way to teach these pigs a lesson. he'll think twice before harassing another woman!

Uma Anandane said...

Good post and Bravo on your part but still you make sure you are on safe hands for a couple of days :)

Arch said...

Bravo, girl! This is how it is to be done!

Shail said...

That was very brave of you!