Alone in a Crowd

Why do people not act in the face of violence?

Alone in a Crowd

By now, many of you have heard about an act of violence that occurred on Sunday outside of Rain on 4th. Bobby Beltran was leaving the club with friends and was attacked by five men.

Worse?

There was a crowd watching.

No one helped.

I'll say it again, and as calmly as I can, which is difficult given that this has just sent me over the edge of reason.

Apparently, there was a crowd and apparently all that crowd did was stare. And I have to wonder, what the ever loving hell is wrong with people?

Any crime, any violence that is witnessed should call some kind of response. If one is fearful of getting involved, then use your cell phone or a bar phone and call the police. Take a cell phone photo of the crime or violence in progress. Get a snapshot or write down the tag number of the vehicle involved. This action, while small, is vitally important in case of legal action.

Call an ambulance. Yell. Keep yourself safe, sure, but don't just stare as a man and his friend are brutally beaten on the street.

I should not have to write a post like this imploring people to step up and take action when anyone is in harm's way. For me, this goes beyond gay, straight, color, race, creed, religion or ability but pure human decency.

I should not have to write a post like this, but I will keep writing posts like this because, frankly?

We are all we have and we need to take care of each other.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

READ MORE
More Activism
Find Another Hobby
Find Another Hobby
Alternative crafting for the conceptually thoughtful

Sarah Mortimer, July 1, 2014

The Sweet Queerafter: What's in a Word?
The Sweet Queerafter: What's in a Word?
Shall we stash the powder keg in a flameproof closet or light the fuse?

David Estlund, Feb. 13, 2014

More by Julie Gillis
Amplify Austin 2015: Centered Women
Amplify Austin 2015: Centered Women
How the Women's Community Center keeps it all together

March 4, 2015

Krewe Kuts: Pride Edition
Krewe Kuts: Pride Edition
The Gay Place Krewe has the final word on Austin Pride.

Oct. 8, 2012

KEYWORDS FOR THIS POST

Activism, Gay, Straight, Bi, Lesbian, Bashing, Safety, Allies

MORE IN THE ARCHIVES
One click gets you all the newsletters listed below

Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events

Keep up with happenings around town

Kevin Curtin's bimonthly cannabis musings

Austin's queerest news and events

Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle