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   Shiina (yowatshiinaesq@mstdn.social)'s status on Tuesday, 13-Dec-2022 14:16:01 JST Shiina

   It's been a daily thing now to read reports of violent attacks, very often by a total stranger or strangers, in NYC subway now.

   A guy slashes a straphanger's face, unprovoked.
   A pair of teenagers hurtle Asian slurs and beats up a man, unprovoked.
   A group of young men approaches a woman sitting on a bench and strangle her, unprovoked.
   A woman splashes acid on another woman's face, unprovoked.

   Some talked about mental health issues but some of these are clearly not. Just sheer violence. Why?

   • Embed this notice
     hashitan (hashitan@mastodon.social)'s status on Tuesday, 13-Dec-2022 14:15:59 JST hashitan

     in reply to

     @YoWatShiinaEsq My friend who lives in NYC told me she’d never stand close to the edge on the platform. That statement carried a real sense of danger and I was scared for her. I experienced a lot of kindness there back in 2019. I wonder if this pandemic has a lot to do with this phenomenon of violence ?

   • Embed this notice
     Shiina (yowatshiinaesq@mstdn.social)'s status on Tuesday, 13-Dec-2022 14:16:00 JST Shiina

     in reply to

     As an Asian person I take special care. But some of these actions (e.g., acid throwing) just happens w dire consequences.

     Before 2020, street violence was often linked with gangs but now they seem to target regular ppl. After Covid some incidents appeared to be related to mental health, but I'm not sure about it anymore. And it's hard to identify the perpetrators.

     So. I now welcome security cameras. Put them up everywhere, please!! I don't feel safe traveling in NYC subway anymore.

     畠山淳 repeated this.
   • Embed this notice
     hashitan (hashitan@mastodon.social)'s status on Tuesday, 13-Dec-2022 14:42:48 JST hashitan

     in reply to

     @YoWatShiinaEsq I walk for an hour towards home after work. Since the recent Asian hate, I definitely changed my gait and stance to appear stronger.

     I hope this unexplained series of violence will decline in NYC as we get a better hold of handling this pandemic. ?

   • Embed this notice
     Shiina (yowatshiinaesq@mstdn.social)'s status on Tuesday, 13-Dec-2022 14:42:49 JST Shiina

     in reply to

     • hashitan

     @hashitan Yeah, I stand farthest away as possible from the edge. I look into the subway cars before getting on. New Yorkers are still generally good & responsive. Unlike Tokyo subways (& this is most ironic but true) I feel that most fellow straphangers would say something if they see something. But I’m definitely much more cautious.

   • Embed this notice
     hashitan (hashitan@mastodon.social)'s status on Tuesday, 13-Dec-2022 14:56:09 JST hashitan

     in reply to

     @YoWatShiinaEsq ?

   • Embed this notice
     Shiina (yowatshiinaesq@mstdn.social)'s status on Tuesday, 13-Dec-2022 14:56:10 JST Shiina

     in reply to

     It was Kyobashi station (pretty much the center) at 10am on a weekday....ppl were walking up & down, but no one stopped to ask if I was ok.

     I regained consciousness after probably a minute or so (I don't know). I climbed up the stairs to the station master's office, and they called an ambulance for me.

     This is just to put a little twist, but a realistic one, into the mix...not saying one is better than the other.

     Safe travels, everyone!!!!!!

   • Embed this notice
     Shiina (yowatshiinaesq@mstdn.social)'s status on Tuesday, 13-Dec-2022 14:56:11 JST Shiina

     in reply to

     Addendum: this may not make sense to non-NYers…but even given the above, I still trust my fellow New Yorkers for “saying something when seeing something.”

     Contrast: Tokyo subways are infinitesimally cleaner, on time & quiet. BUT I do not trust Tokyo straphangers for coming to my rescue if I drop and bleed.

     I once fell from stairs & lay bleeding around 10am in Tokyo. The only person who stopped kindly handed me my phone & walked away. No one called for help. It’s very Tokyo.