June Renew: Day Three
Like a Good Neighbor
New Yorkers in a post-9/11 world have become accustomed to the old adage: “See Something, Say Something.” Meaning, if you see something going on that just doesn’t seem right or could potentially put someone in danger, run it up the ladder and tell an authority figure. The idea used to cringe me out, as did any authoritative ask, but looking back on it, it does make good sense. In a city of eight million people, it pays to be vigilant, even if the only satisfaction lies with myself.
Now that there’s no more New York National Guardsmen checking bags in the subways, I can comfortably travel the tubes after work, as it’s only a quick two stops to get back home. I keep my back to one of the platform pillars at all times, and I’m not dawdling around on my phone. Keeping an eye on my surroundings should be good practice for any New Yorker. Which is why it was extra concerning seeing the red suitcase by the display today.
Tag It and Bag It
I waited a bit, making sure no one was claiming it. It didn’t look dangerous, just abandoned. It seems an odd thing to forget, as I’m sure you’d remember if you were traveling with a suitcase or not. I snapped a photo and began the process of submitting an issue to the MTA website. Just as I was scrolling through my options, four or five NYPD officers, one with a drug/bomb sniffing dog, all walked up and surrounded the bag. The female cop looked over at me and another nearby passenger, pointing at the bag and asking if it was ours. “I was just reporting it,” I told her, “It’s no one’s.” The other male cop put on some rubber gloves and began opening it. I’m not sure what came of it because my train pulled up moments after. I thanked the officers and boarded, feeling like I helped, even when I didn’t actually do anything.
There are many moments like this in a big sprawling metropolis like New York City. I’ve made complaints about the subways before, from gang graffiti scrawled on the platforms, to things being stuck inside the credit card slots at Metrocard stations. I’m a Karen, kinda. But how else are we expected to keep things cool both above and below the city?
I’m Watching You
If they’re going to keep telling us to say something if we see something, why can’t that apply to “them” too? Like if I see political figures being massive hypocrites or not prioritizing the safety and well-being of their constituents, why must I be bullied into silence? I can’t just sit around watching the City Comptroller be famously anti-car but still rack up parking and speeding tickets, or a State Assemblywoman blowing through red lights and parking in front of hydrants, or a City Councilman doing all of the above and more. I don’t know if it’s a requirement in New York for a pol to be a gigantic, ugly, contradictory hypocrite, but as long as they’re here and allegedly in charge, I’ll keep calling it out for what it is.
I think anyone who thinks this incarnation of New York City is fine and dandy needs their head examined, but I’m sure those people would think the same of me. Until conditions change, and God willing they will soon, I’ll be on the lookout for all the wrongdoing around here. At least what I consider wrongdoing. It’s just about finding my voice in order to really enact change around here. I see something. So of course I’ll keep saying something.
