If You See Something, Say Something
“IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!”
I turn back to the Times and the Didion piece. But, this time, I can’t concentrate. I stare at the poster and listen to the babies gurgle, the blind beggar with the impressive baritone begin an Otis Redding tune. Like a mother’s final warning or an overhead announcement at the airport, “Last call, this is the last call for passenger Belle on flight 6759 to Birmingham, Alabama…” the words of the slogan resonate in my mind.
What is the difference between informing and snitching? Telling and divulging? Enlightening and exposing? If I saw a lone backpack on the subway platform, yes, of course I would report it. The same goes for a suspicious piece of luggage in Penn Station or Grand Central. But, what about when it comes to the more difficult things in life—when there are repercussions for “saying something when you see something?” What would y’all do?
My conscience makes me open up. My conscience makes me reveal things that I wish I could keep tucked in the box springs of my bed, somewhere hidden beneath my feather mattress and silk comforter. My conscience makes me disclose information that, perhaps, I should keep to myself.
“Writing, writing, writing… to relieve the pressure on my heart and conscience.”
I’ve seen too much to sit still, keep my mouth closed. Relay. Release. Reveal. Expose. Expose’…
October 2nd, 2005 at 3:42 pm
The few times I was in a New York subway, I preferred to stick to: If You See Someone, Say Nothing…
October 2nd, 2005 at 3:52 pm
expose, expose. . .
You do it in such an intriguing way too.
October 2nd, 2005 at 3:56 pm
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October 2nd, 2005 at 4:28 pm
Interesting entry as always Belle.
October 2nd, 2005 at 5:19 pm
Belle,
Seeing and saying are two different things, darlin. HOw I see it, well, it really depends on what you saw- and how deep it will get your butt in a sling if you do tell– (if at all) Will telling really make a difference in the whole scheme of things? If not- let it pass- let it be your weight to bear. Whether it gives you some type of healing or heartburn to tell– then you better think about what result you want to live with long term.
October 2nd, 2005 at 5:40 pm
Personally Belle, my attitude is that if you don’t speak, no one else will. Its just a matter of having good enough judgement to know when its essential to do so.
Sadly, conscience doesn’t come with a built in judgement-ometer and all you can do is follow your heart. Do whats best for yourself and your loved ones.
Thats what I try to do. It backfires sometimes, but thats life!
October 2nd, 2005 at 7:12 pm
If you don’t want to say anything, Close your eyes.
October 2nd, 2005 at 7:47 pm
I had the same thought when I saw that sign on the subway. I have no idea what is something that is worthy of reporting unless it is the situations that you mentioned. One sees lots of oddities on the subway, are we to report them?
October 2nd, 2005 at 8:32 pm
“What would y’all do?”
I’d probably continue to write about my experiences in a blog and let thousands of people live vicariously. I think you’ve managed quite well…and without ever needing to mention anal sex (all together now: a collective, referential wink!).
Critics be damned, although I’d be mindful to protect the “innocent” (from themselves if possible).
I’ll have to reread the posts but my faves so far are “Grand Daddy” and “The Big Time”. I picture that guy to be a more outgoing and coked-up version of the guy in the basement in Office Space.
Different personality, but that’s who I picture.
Bravo Belle!
October 2nd, 2005 at 10:11 pm
I enjoyed reading your blog. Best, D.E. Cloutier, http://www.vulturecoast.blogspot.com
October 3rd, 2005 at 12:40 am
Firstly, MTA is the acronym for Metropolitan Transportation Authority, not Mass Transit Authority. Perhaps you were thinking of Boston?
When I started reading this story, at first I thought that you had been one of the unfortunate women who had encountered that NYC subway wacko who was exposing himself to women on the train (i.e., expose). Perhaps I was hoping for some unique viewpoint about such behavior–or barring that, maybe something hilarious and possibly just a little bit lascivious?
Nonetheless, you certainly have the ability to convey a certain mood, and I particularly enjoy the lyrical quality of your writing.
October 3rd, 2005 at 1:10 am
I wouldn’t be able to not say anything. Maybe if someone said something about someone suspiscious…well who knows? Maybe there would have been no 9/11. Maybe or maybe not.
Connie
October 3rd, 2005 at 2:36 am
And what would they do, if you told them you saw something/one suspicious? Chase a poor dude down the station and empty six rounds of bullets into his body because he looked “suspicious” and wouldn’t stop when they chased him?
October 3rd, 2005 at 2:52 am
solitary dreamer: I don’t want you to worry needlessly–in NYC everyone looks suspicious.
October 3rd, 2005 at 5:28 am
Ooops, sorry about the acronym mix up. Thanks, “Brooklyn Babe” for the correction.
October 3rd, 2005 at 6:23 am
Nice one
October 3rd, 2005 at 9:58 am
Chase a poor dude down the station and empty six rounds of bullets into his body because he looked “suspicious” and wouldn’t stop when they chased him?
I think the lesson there is to NOT run away from authorities when you’re in a subway a few days after a bombing.
October 3rd, 2005 at 10:49 am
As I mentioned, I am a former NY’er. As such, I was subjected to a daily barrage of ads on the subway. My favorite was the Spanish language subway soap opera that chronicled the heartstring tugging lives of Julio and Marisol. Their struggle with safe sex and the AIDS
virus in the Latino community was enlightening.
http://www.aegis.com/news/ap/1997/AP971002.html
Eventually though, I let my eyes fly past the cascade of public service and product hawking placards at speeds not unlike the 4/5 express zipping right through the 28th street station.
And so you Belle, have now proven to be semi-porous in relation to a particular subway ad. And a Big Brotheresque one at that. Somehow I suspect this “See Something, Say Something!” poster is, for you, not the moral conundrum of telling on someone else, but of telling on yourself. Ah yes, I remember the days when the instinct of self editing was pummeled into submission by my brash nature. That of course was a time when I needed it the most.
You are a writer. A talented writer. And I suspect the instinct to reveal will be overpowering. It will bleed over into your romantic life, your professional life, and your good sense. But a gifted individual such as yourself will eventually learn to summon the control of a veteran pitcher.
October 3rd, 2005 at 11:11 am
belle girl. i totally get it. me and you are so much alike. check out my blog girl, it’s a slowly growing collection of articles i write for the university paper. i think we’d totally connect. satconline.blogspot…
October 3rd, 2005 at 11:48 am
You should check out www.concentricus.com. Your writing is pretty good, and this site would be a good way for you to get your stuff noticed.
October 3rd, 2005 at 2:17 pm
Just start living your life like you’re John McLain from the movie “Die Hard”
He sticks his nose everywhere. And he always ends up on top.
Just an excuse to reference one of the great action movies from our time.
October 3rd, 2005 at 3:01 pm
I wonder if you were reading the Didion piece on death… it was beautiful and painful.
I say what I see. I think people are far too private. We keep our dirty laundry in baskets hidden from view, but it makes for such a loney existence.
I think if people stopped minding their own business all the time, people might end up being more socially responsible.
I enjoy your blog.
October 3rd, 2005 at 4:01 pm
Good question.
I guess this is the reason I live in Vermont.
Here the slogan is “See nothing, say something.”
October 3rd, 2005 at 7:44 pm
In these days of terrorism awareness, we are all interdependant. I will not go to NYC. If such a thing exists in that New Babylon I would say prudence and common sense would dictate one’s actions. Even in their absence one should err on the side of common safety. I have no objection to the scrutiny of any resonable authority. I would also stop if someone yelled for me to do so unotil I could determine the cause of the yell. Having said that, I do tend to return fire when fired upon. This is a very complex issue you raise. I agree with “Disclose, disclose, disclose.
October 6th, 2005 at 12:24 pm
If it is dangerous to you or others, report it. If its harmless then I do nothing. Say nothing.