A Hit and Run on Intent, Tone, & Education

[yeloson]

If you get hit by a car, odds are, the person driving didn't intend to hit you. They didn't even see you.

What does that mean for your battered, bleeding body?

Should you be happy if they say, "Sorry!" and drive away? What more do you want?

Is it their responsibility to help you, or at least get help, or is it your responsibility to teach them how to reset bones, or at the very least how to dial 911 while you slide into shock?

Is it reasonable to expect you to be polite, calm, nice and reassuring while you're screaming "Stop!" as they back the car up on you repeatedly? Why aren't you thinking about their feelings?

Is it sane to expect you to keep frequenting these streets full of careless drivers who never seem to see you and never call for help?

What's your responsibility in this?

And what of the driver?

Comments

[oneshysistah.livejournal.com]

This is pretty much the perfect metaphor; however, I imagine folks will be quick to try and debunk it in a conversation. Sigh.

[yeloson.livejournal.com]

Well, you know, people who can't tell the difference between an analogy of physics and an analogy of behavior shouldn't be driving anyway.

[maerhys.livejournal.com]

Excellent, as usual. A perfect metaphor and one that is clear as day.

[yeloson.livejournal.com]

And yet, even in broad daylight, they never seem to miss us.

[maerhys.livejournal.com]

By the light of day it's often easier to speed up and aim. *sigh*

[fightingwords.livejournal.com]

Pretty much.

[daedala.livejournal.com]

I actually find the metaphor inadquate in one way -- in many cases, the driver knows they're driving a vehicle that is dangerous to others. So even though they didn't "intend" harm, they're still choosing to drive the damned thing. :(

[helens78]

People know that words have the power to hurt, too, though. I doubt there's anybody alive who's never been hurt by words.

[delux-vivens.livejournal.com]

on point.

[ailiathena.livejournal.com]

Do you mind if I bring this up in my General Education class tomorrow?

[yeloson.livejournal.com]

Feel free. I'm all for pedestrian safety.

[ailiathena.livejournal.com]

Awesome. We're doing a class on Mock Spanish and I'm expecting resistance.

[yeloson.livejournal.com]

You may want to have them compare stuff like the mockery at engrish.com vs. faux spanish as a privilege exercise.

Why is it people who mess up english are stupid but people who mess up spanish are "smarter"(than people who speak spanish)?

I guess it depends on who's driving, right?

uh oh...

[voz-latina.livejournal.com]

I need to find ur school.

[kialio.livejournal.com]

Aversive racism = doing donuts in the middle of the street.

[buria-q.livejournal.com]

hahaha

[stephiepenguin.livejournal.com]

awesome

[dharma-slut.livejournal.com]

But dude, you're PROFILING those drivers! And if its wrong for the COPS to use racial profiling it's wrong for you to, too!
< /sarcasm >

OMFG...

[yeloson.livejournal.com]

Well, you know me, endless cauldron of rage from the asphalt. Oppression through my mere existence...

[spiralsheep.livejournal.com]

Wait... people say sorry? Dude, I've been missing out!

;-)

[yeloson.livejournal.com]

Only after lots of people who witnessed the "accident" insist upon it...

but...what about my bad boy cultural memes?!

[buria-q.livejournal.com]

well, someone will always be offended and if you're offending someone you're probably doing something right. amirite? amirite?