Finding My Voice In A New America.

Today as I was shopping in a popular big box store, I witnessed something horrendous.

On more than one level.

I was taking a look at some rotisserie chickens when I heard a thud and saw some sort of liquid flying through the air.

As I turned around, I heard a collective gasp.

An older gentleman grabbing milk had tripped and fallen on the way back to his wife, and as dumb luck would have it, his tumble had him fall headfirst into the metal corner of a cooling unit.

He laid there helpless.

As did every other shopper in the store.

Some stopped and just stared, while others continued their cell phone chats as they strolled by, barely even glancing over to see the poor man lying in a pool of milk.

I almost felt my eyeballs fall out as the rage in me heated up.

Even the girl handing out samples two feet away didn't move.

I immediately started yelling for someone to call 911 and began yelling at another employee to summon help.

He then tried to pull himself up to which I yelled no, which as soon as I did became apparent, because this time, his arm gave way on the milk and now his head crashed for a second time into the corner, this time producing a bloody head wound.

I now found myself yelling for paper towels as those around me look bewildered.

"Call 911", I shouted again.

Then I look over to see one of the employees helping the man to his feet.

"NO! Don't touch him!" I shouted.

Then I asked a passing employee if they had a chair.

He answered no, to which I responded, I would let him sit back on the ground, he has had two traumatic head traumas, and is elderly, to which my pleas went unnoticed and ignored.

When I finally heard an employee call 911, I felt it best to walk away because my blood was about to boil over.

Is this what we have become as a country?!

We are too afraid to help, so we do NOTHING?!

We ignore it, so we don't have to deal with it???!!!

I was the only one in a crowd of 20 plus that felt the need to advocate for this poor man as his wife sat next to him, helpless.

It made me feel sick to my stomach.

I know we are in a pandemic, but Jesus, seeing everyone from employees to customers stand around with their proverbial dicks in their hands, ABHORRENT.

May we all take time to revisit our humanity.

God forbid we need help, may we have someone advocate for us.

I guess today, I was that person, but I am saddened that I was the only one.

Let's remember we are all susceptible.

We can all suffer from a moment of weakness, so don't be passive, pay it forward.

Trying to help is free.

So is gratitude.

Yet both are priceless.

Xoxo,

C.