JadeTheBard95

For the past 2 years I have been practicing a non-aggressive lifestyle. A practice that includes several forms of meditation, physical activity, and healthy/positive outlooks on situations. The point of this was to not loose my cool, to not lash out and hurt myself or others in a fit of rage or frustration. And, for the first time in 2 years, I lost my cool and broke my vow of non-violence.

Thursday afternoon I caught the train home from the city. It was reasonably busy, but not enough that every seat was taken. I originally had a small set of seats to myself, but several stations in a young couple decided to sit opposite of me. They had many bags so I was polite and kept my satchel on my lap so the seat beside me could store their belongings. They thanked me, well I assumed they did; my headphones were in and my music was loud. They spoke to each other quietly as I stared out the window, my mind was miles away. But, I did notice in the corner of my eye the woman was staring rather intently at me and my bag. I didn't think much of it thought. The train ride was rather quiet and I didn't let the stares get to me; I have bright red hair, tattoos, and an odd sense of fashion, staring was something I am accustomed to.

But, after probably 30mins of staring, I realised they were actually speaking to me. Shouting, rather, as I could hear them slightly over the blaring of Hozier's Eden in my ears. I pulled my earphones out and politely asked what they said. My heart skipped a beat when the woman asked how I live with myself. They both began calling me immoral, wrong, a freak, disgusting, sinful, sick, all these random insults. I had no idea what was happening and I froze. After they asked for probably the tenth time how I live with myself, I finally came to my senses and asked what the hell they were on about. The man pointed to my bag, a look on his face like I was cradling something evil. I looked at my red Mass Effect bag, unsure what he meant. Was he against Bioware or something? Then I realised, I had a rather large cluster of badges on the satchels straps. Several of which were rainbow coloured, baring slogans like "Equality for Everyone" or "Marriage is a Right", and another that said "Stop Homophobia". I went limp as I realised what was their problem.

I began laying down facts and my beliefs; all were shut down with their constant accusations that me and 'my people' were going to hell. I tried to remain calm, but I was growing sick with each word they spat at me. What I found amusing was that just because I had these support badges they assumed I was part of the LGBTQ community. I had a badge that said I will work for nachos, doesn't mean I actually work for nachos (not the point, but I was trying to distract myself from loosing my cool). That the idea of someone simply supporting Gay Rights was so absurd to these people. I looked around the carriage hoping someone would back me up or at least tell them to leave me alone, everyone averted their eyes. So, I got mad. I called them disgusting homophobes and that there God didn't want what they were doing. They said "We aren't homophobes, we are just so sick and tired of having gays shove their sin in our faces!" I told them I was over having straights, like themselves, shoving their beliefs in my faces and that I had done nothing to deserve what they were doing. Nothing I said made an impact though.
Eventually, I was over being shouted at. I climbed over their belongings, probably knocking some to the floor. I then plucked one page from my bag and tossed it at them. The badge said "Jesus believed in love". As I left they said something along the lines of "Your people claim to be about love but you shut everyone else's beliefs down just because they are different from yours!"  At that point, violence sounded lovely. I went and got the conductor and told him I was being abused by people who were committing a hate crime; sadly when he went to investigate they must have left the carriage. My badge was crushed and on the floor. The conductor apologised and asked if I wanted to make a formal complaint. I said no, as I reached my station and just wanted to leave.

I got off, and punched a poll until my knuckles bled. I thought being out of high school I didn't have to put up with this kind of trash any more. I thought my life in university was better; then I realised the world was a black hole of hate. That people like that were the reason my friends killed themselves, why thousands of people do the same all around the world.
I went home and was still seething. What angered me more, was essentially some of my family told me I was advertising it for the whole world. That if I didn't want people to abuse me, maybe I should stop giving them a reason to. So, I should just go back to pretending to be like everyone else, I spat back. They said no, just stop making it obvious and having badges like that showing my support.

Stop being obvious. I am over people telling me that. I am not the problem, people in the LGBTQ community aren't the problem. Maybe the problem is that people are so filled with hate! Maybe if they weren't, my friends would still be here with me.

From :She-WolfOfTheNorth:

Comment and...

1. What animal/creature you remind me of.
2. What color I think fits you.
3. How I feel about you.
4. attempt to Insult you.
5. My favorite OC of yours.
6. What season you remind me of.
7. Tell you what food you smell like in my head.
8. A song you remind me of.
9. Think of a random nickname for you.
10. What element you remind me of.
11. I'll tell you to put this in your journal without using the words 'tag' or 'dare'           

Today at uni, I was listening to music while riding up the elevator. Behind me stood a mother with her baby sleeping in a pram, and a toddler, the little cutie was pushing the up button hoping it would go faster.

There I was minding my own business, when I felt something tickle my leg. I instantly thought 'the shit?', panicking that it was a spider or some other God awful demonic bug that inhabits my country. I half turned pulling my headphones out, expecting some monster trying to eat me, when I saw the little girl crouched down, tracing the lines of my tiger tattoo. Her eyes were filled with awe and a large smile spread from ear to ear. I couldn't help but chuckle, i'm not the type of person who would be mad at such an act.

Her mother noticed what she was doing and began freaking out. "No, no, no. Don't do that honey, leave her alone!"
I simply smiled to the mother, showing I wasn't angry or offended. The girl turned to her mother with a cheesy grin, and said with such amazement, "Mummy! She has a pretty picture on her leg!"
I smiled down to her and asked if she liked it. To which, she nodded profusely. Her mother continued to look suspiciously at me, she then told her daughter to stop bothering me. 
 
Moral of my story? Children aren't born prejudice, society teaches them to be.

Hey there

Okay, so my story I had been posting for Dragon Age, Freedom's Price will no longer be updated on this site. I apologise to those who were faving chapters and following along. I have just found the story is getting more views on FanFiction and is much easier to upload there.

For those who were reading it, again I apologise for the inconvenience. But, here is the link if you haven't grown bored of waiting for updates; www.fanfiction.net/s/10575805/…

There are heaps more chapters now, as I hadn't been posting them anywhere else, currently working on chapter 23. Also, I have a couple of other dragon age works and soon enough a Mass Effect story.

Hope to have more people join in on the adventure

Thanks again.

Today, began like any other.

Out on my morning walk, I noticed a couple of students waiting to cross the road. I smiled, the juniors were waiting at a crosswalk, not something that happens often in my neighborhood.
As I walked closer, I noticed they had been standing there for quite some time.

One of the girls attempted to cross, seeing a chance and gap in traffic. Before she had the opportunity, a four wheel drive speed past. Barely missing the girl, from where  stood it looked as though the mirror caught her shoulder. The car kept speeding, barely noticing what almost happened.
Seeing this DISGUSTING action, I ran to her. She was stunned, her two friends began panicking. They weren't sure who to call, police, ambulance, parents. I kneeled beside the girl, she was shaking and beginning to cry. I was unsure how to comfort her, I calmly told one of the girls to call her parents.

I was finding it hard myself to remain calm, seemed like only yesterday the same happened to me; when I was fifteen a car clipped me and my bike. Thanks to careless driving I now wear a back brace. The painful memory creeped up as I comforted her.
I am not one for affection, and before I knew it the girl clung to me. Her friends began chattering words of guidance to her friend, they explained to me she got upset very easily. I gently rocked her back and forth, trying to calm her. I even asked if she needed and ambulance, she near screamed in protest.

This all seemed so unlikely, so unreal. Like something out of a horrible movie, this type of thing doesn't happen. But, I of all people should know it does. Soon enough people began gathering around us, some claimed they saw what happened. Others on phones to what I presumed was the authorities. After what seemed a lifetime, the girls parents arrived. She released me and gripped her father, he tried to sooth her.

Another moment passed and police arrived. I quickly recounted the event, stated I had not caught the license but described the car. They thanked me, saying not much could be done. Out raged, I shook my head and told them cameras needed to b stationed there. What would have happened if that girl walked further? What would have happened if I rode my bike further?

After making my statement, I left. I was happy to see the girl safe, and with her family. Looking back now, maybe I should have stayed. But, it all seemed to hit very close to home...
Almost five years later, and no one has done anything to prevent it from happening again. One child dying of road rage doesn't seem to matte, several near deaths are still unimportant, and countless hit and misses time and time again has no effect. Still, people speed and ignore traffic lights or crosswalks. Still, they in danger innocent children everyday. Still, our local police are apparently unable to stop it. Still, after telling our local government over ad over... nothing is done.

This isn't a tale of heroism, kindness, nothing I did today mattered. Tomorrow, there is a great chance another child will be hit. Like me, they may not have someone stop to help. Unlike this girl, they may not be so lucky. This is not a tale of kindness...

No, this is a lesson...
Follow the road rules, slow down and watch out or pedestrians. Don't be the reason a child's life is ruined...

Please.