The Bitch of it All

This morning I was on Muni, seated near the front, when I heard a commotion behind me. I never look, because people causing a ruckus want you to look - it adds more fuel to their fire, but I did listen.

Mostly all I heard was angry cursing. The people around me were looking, and I knew the man was coming closer and closer to me. He said something about how he had to get on the train in the back, and I extrapolated that he was angry at the driver. As he pushed past me, he kept cursing and yelling, and all of a sudden it was all clear.

He was hit by Muni in 2008, and it caused damage to his leg. No way of knowing if that damage necessitated amputation or if the train actually ran over his leg, but either way the guy hates Muni and everyone associated with it. Even the people like me, who just use it to get around the city.

The guy went to the very front and continued yelling at the driver, saying he blamed her, and wanted her to die for what she did. I kept watching his hands, thinking of Colin Ferguson. The driver was very cool, calmly telling the man that she personally did not injure him, that she personally, was very sorry he was in a wheelchair. He agreed with her that she was not responsible, but did emphatically tell her that he'd have to hold her responsible since she works for Muni.

At that point the driver had gotten to the stop where the man wanted to get off the train, and he rolled on down the ramp. How sad is that? I really feel for the guy. Of course his screaming and cursing is inappropriate, but if three years ago your leg were amputated, putting you in a wheelchair for the rest of your life, wouldn't you be angry at the world too? Plus, it must really burn that he has to continue using the train system, even after it hurt him.*

*We are not debating whether or not the accident was his fault. Even if it was, you don't deserve to have your leg chopped off. You deserve to have the horn blown at you and be given the finger.