A couple of days ago, I accidentally became a peacemaker on the bus that was taking me home. Our bus picked up two passengers. One was Black and the other one was white, with a heavy backpack on his shoulder. The white guy came up the steps first and situated himself by the door. The Black guy came next, but accidentally bumped into the first guy.
That’s when an angry verbal exchange started. For some minutes the exchange continued and became worse.
Everyone in the bus just listened and looked at them. I saw the white guy draw a knife from his pocket and begin egging the other guy to a fight. Not seeing the knife, the Black guy just kept answering back, especially when he was told that: “Black lives don’t really matter.”
I prayed to God to give me right words, and I asked the Black guy to stop answering back. Gladly he listened and stopped.
However, the other guy was still aggressive. He kept talking and held on to his knife. The driver stopped the bus and confronted him. After that, he finally went quiet.
It was time for the Black guy to get off, but he had to pass the other guy in order to get off the bus. The white guy was still holding his knife tightly and looking like he was ready for him.
I stopped the Black guy from using that door where the white guy stood and suggested he get off upfront if he wanted to be safe. I’m glad he listened and opted to use the other door.
I was shaking. If he had not listened to my request, he might have been stabbed, or a fight might have ensued and the others near them may have been casualties. It was a very crowded bus!
I am thankful to God for giving me the courage to speak up, and to overcome my fear.
