It’s not a fair world for women. We’ve come a long way, but there’s a huge distance to go. It’s not fair a woman can’t even walk down the street in the city without frequently wondering “Am I going to be attacked? Is tonight the night my life gets ruined? Or the night that it ends?”
It’s a harrowing ordeal that most of us guys just don’t have to think about too often, and when we are reminded of it, we’re truly taken aback. Like in this story from a man who goes by @WonderKing82 or “Black Professor” on Twitter. He shared a very introspective and rather shaken tale of the night a woman in danger literally attached herself to him out of the blue in a gamble to save her own life. The whole story is laid out in a Twitter thread below.
For context, he refers to a “debate” a few times. As he was walking he was watching a 2020 primary debate on this phone, which aired the night this story took place.
Chapter 1: A Tight Hug
I'm walking to the train a few minutes ago and a woman walked right up to me and gave me a tight hug and whispered quickly, "please act like you know me 3 guys are following me for a while" I played along then walked her 3 blocks home. What an experience for the both of us.
— π Mr. Weeks π (@WonderKing82) February 8, 2020
Chapter 2: She Was Terrified
I was walking looking at the debate, at the glance I saw her reaching her hands up, and before I can react she hugged me. After the hug she held my hand as we walked to her building. She apologized for the inconvenience, and I had to tell her it was my pleasure no inconvenience.
— π Mr. Weeks π (@WonderKing82) February 8, 2020
Chapter 3: I Can Only Imagine
I can only imagine how she feels because this shit never happened to me before and I'm a little taken back. Inwas just going to my peoples how to chill, and this happened. My friends called out the blue and come through to chill. Sitting back analyzing this have me feeling a way.
— π Mr. Weeks π (@WonderKing82) February 8, 2020
Chapter 4: What Happened?
UPDATE
I spoke with the woman. She couldn't thank me enough. I also thank her for bringing me into the world of women. Apparently the 3 males was looking at her on the train. When she got off, they got off. They followed her 2 blocks, she then went into a store for a few minutes.— π Mr. Weeks π (@WonderKing82) February 8, 2020
Chapter 5: I Had a Smile On My Face
She saw me, and noticed I had a smile on my face looking at my phone and that's when she knew I would welcome her. She apologized, she felt how shock I was at her untiming hug. I told her I thought it was a set up at first, she laughed because she said thatd new york mentality.
— π Mr. Weeks π (@WonderKing82) February 8, 2020
Chapter 6: Thank You, Mister
I met her 5 year old son, who said thank you Mister. I spoke to her mother as well who was thankful for me being there. I told her the offer still stand if she ever need someone to walk her home from the train station. Her mother was definitely grateful, some nights she work late
— π Mr. Weeks π (@WonderKing82) February 8, 2020
Chapter 7: No “What If’s”
She said, you're feeling like this, now imagine what every girl & woman feel like. She said you're a good person at least to me for what you did for my family and I. Somewhere, a woman did something good to you, your presence welcoming from that smile I saw feom your phone light.
— π Mr. Weeks π (@WonderKing82) February 8, 2020
Chapter 8: I Will Do Better
I see we will be cool for a while. I didn't expect this post to touch so many people, I needed to get this emotion out and shared it on my account. This is sad women & girls have to live in this type of fear because us men have created an evironment of toxicity. I will do better.
— π Mr. Weeks π (@WonderKing82) February 8, 2020
There were many who chimed in to thank him.
I donβt think itβs exaggerating to say that you may have saved a life tonight, or at least allowed a life to continue without physical harm. Thank you for going out of your way to help her.
β April (@ReignOfApril) February 8, 2020
It’s sad how pervasive this problem is.
I am so glad you helped her. Ppl don’t realize how women have to alter their routes, or wait in buildings for 45 mins, etc. bc they notice some creep is waiting to pounce on them after work. It is dangerous for us.
β βBlackPeopleAreHumanβΏ (@SparrowOnTheEye) February 8, 2020
As evidenced by the number of people who shared their own stories in the replies…
https://twitter.com/sansivera/status/1226012430536331264
We cannot allow this to continue to be the norm.
Explained in an undertone what was going on. He linked his arm in mine and smiled and his friend walked with my colleague and pretended to know us. The group behind followed a little way then left – we were so relieved! The gentlemen walked us to our hotel. I was so grateful.
— MariaTS (@lariti2) February 8, 2020
It’s strange to read a story like this and feel such a potent combination of joy and relief and also grief and rage. Being one of the good folks to help counteract the bad is a huge start. But changing the norm is where the real battle lives.
What are your thoughts on this?
Share them with us in the comments.