Guy who’s generally unfriendly in the park (blocks the way, almost purposely steps on my dogs paw, expects me to always give way to him.) an uncle in his 50s. always wearing a mask, sunglasses and a hat.
today, i didn’t give way. i got close and he punched me in the chest and then threatened to stab me in the face with the trowel he buries his dog’s shit.
for a few seconds, i have the nervous uncle shaking with this trowel raised, pointing at my face.
i didn’t react. (because i know i have no rights.) at no point did i raise my arms…i just kept saying “you hit me” in Chinese. i was in shock a little.
police, no point. no witnesses (that would help) and no cctv.
But if next time you encounter him, and if he immediately looks like he is about to be belligerent, then you should have your phone out. Like, you need to have your phone out at the first whiff. Not when he’s attacking you. Do you have any injuries? Where did he hit you?
I interpreted the Rosa Parks comment to that implication. Otherwise why bring up a famous civil rights activist intentionally placing herself in a legal position to overturn Jim Crow laws?
Why would you arrive at that conclusion? Why do Americans make everything about race?
Because she, like OP is being denied their right to use the public space, the reason is irrelevant. But if she had backed down like you suggest, then she would not have furthered the cause. Backing down to these bullies, systemic or otherwise ensures the oppression continues as it emboldens them. Even regular Taiwanese people fold at the drop of a dime because of their unwillingness to confront people. It emboldens the bullies of society.
OP has just as much right to use the public space as anyone else.
Rosa Parks was protesting racial discrimination. Using her as the model for your analogy is inseparable from the racial aspect and undertones. If these implications were not your intent then a different person (real or fictional) would better suit your intended point.
Not saying this as anything personal, but it helps facilitate the clarity of communication.
Does the uncle behave like this towards everyone? If not, what reasons could there be for singling out someone who assume stands out because they’re not Asian?
I wouldn’t know, I’m not OP. But OP was attacked and one piece of advice was stay away from the public space, letting the Uncle win. So we go to the next space where possibly a different asshole could be doing something else and then no more spaces cause the assholes have taken over.