Or me. It can be very difficult for me to go out in public without someone there to get me the fuck out when it gets too much. So, screaming, crying, yep. BTDT. The only person I’m any harm to is myself, hence the need for a safety net or handler. Mostly people can be great. Quiet, calm and tea/cold water are all helpful when this happens.
Compassion and empathy aren’t as scarce as they seem to be, but they can be “dirty words” in some circles. It behooves* us to offer empathy and compassion. Most people aren’t all that far away from being homeless and everyone is much closer to having an public argument with an invisible opponent than they might think.
In the same way that oppressive attitudes engender further oppression, I firmly believe that bullying architecture also encourages bullying and “othering” of people. And that’s fucked up. If it’s not possible to prevent this, be aware of how your environment is manipulating attitudes and do the opposite, because the fuckers in control hate that. Once you start to see and treat the mentally ill and/or homeless as real human beings, you’ve won.
And we all like a win.
*Behooves. Such a great word. Makes me think of ponies. 
