Naela El-Hinnawy

Behavior

This Could Happen to Anyone

Three weeks ago, at the Chambers Street stop on the 2/3 line, an African American man stepped on and addressed the subway car. He was asking for money and food. He told us that he understood how awkward it was for everyone to listen to him. He told us that he wanted us to know that even though he does this a lot, that it is very embarrassing for him every time.

"But," he said, "this could be you. THIS could happen to anybody."

I've heard people asking for money on the subway make this claim before. However, this was the first time that I ever heard multiple members of "the audience" agree. "Yes," said a woman in a suit. Instead of bowing her head in avoidance, she was nodding it in agreement.

Chambers Street Station Stop of the 2/3 Uptown Train