| Sure, let's be more specific. First of all, do you live in a high density area with a high homicide rate? If so, answer the following questions. - Have you ever seen somebody walk out of a convenience store without paying. If so, would you try to say anything disapproving to such a person? - If you're a woman, have you ever taken an Uber instead of the bus service your taxes subsidize because of safety concerns? If not, has this happened to a partner or friend? Would you let your underage daughter take the bus home from somewhere alone after dark? - Have you ever had to cross the road because you weren't comfortable walking past somebody standing/lying on the corner? - It's 3am. A large group of teenagers are having a party in your apartment building. They're still at it and they're very loud. Are you comfortable heading over and asking them to keep it down? - It's 6pm. A large group of teenagers are hanging out in a public park near your place. You are curious about what they're up to. Are you comfortable walking past them while keeping eye contact with one of them and visibly checking out what they're doing? - Would you consider walking the streets regularly while wearing an all-red streetwear outfit with a red paisley style bandana? How about a different color,say blue? - Would you feel safe wandering the neighborhood at night in a drag costume? - Would you feel safe wearing a black t-shirt with white text announcing that you don't like the music of a popular local rap artist? If you don't do some otherwise perfectly reasonable and morally activities because it would be irresponsible or unsafe to do so, you're modifying your behavior. If you don't feel that you need to modify your behavior to avoid being a victim of violent crime, chances are it's only because you're very very lucky with your preferences. Some people happen not to want to do any of these activites, of course, but that doesn't change the fact that one can safely engage in them here, but not in any comparable area in the U.S. |