I too was disturbed that no one stood up for the old man, at first reading of the article. Then it came to me that in many parts of the country, getting on a crowded subway has become downright dangerous, and everyone is acutely aware of it.
They are aware that the person sitting next to them could be a complete nut case if you look at them in the ‘wrong way’.
The survival instinct is to keep your distance and stay detached.
The one thing that was good to see:
After the attacker left, many people extended their hands to help the old preacher out.For a minute or two they all seemed frozen in shock. In shock at the brutality.
Then, when the blood began to flow, people were reactivated. Someone was kind enough to make sure that wounded Man of God could at very least sit down and catch his breath until help arrived.
You're right. Riding the subway was always that way, at least since I was young. In those days, we all would sit there trying to avoid eye contact. You only have to look at the wrong person once. You learn quickly never to do that again.
And you also try not to attract any attention. So, these subway preachers are taking a risk. Hope this nice man will be all right.
Trannies and transvestites are often high on drugs when they ride mass transit in Manhattan. Dangerous, dangerous people. Most people wait for the train to stop and get the hell off.
It should also be noted, I think, that not everyone is a fighter.
In fact, most people are not fighters.
It takes a certain type of person to put themselves at great risk by breaking up violence between others.