caught the train on the way into the refugee rally in town today. witnessed something which turned my insides to fuming jelly. a bunch of six primary school aged kids were talking and laughing with an asian looking man, just out of ear shot. the kids were obviously not shy but from where i was they looked pretty friendly, playing and interacting with the other people on the train. as we pulled up to perth station the red headed kid threw a piece of rubbish at the asian man and then spat at his face. my inside's flipped. i was confused. what the hell had just happened? my blood was curdling...what to do? something needed to be done? this could not happen in perth in front of a bunch of adults with out someone saying something? what to do? yell at the kid? the train stopped and the doors opened. my mind was swirling. what to do? what to say? something about being an aussie and how that behaviour is not tolerated here. quick. what to do? the kids have walked off and are now half way up the escalator. 'do something' my heart screams. the man has walked in the opposite direction. the moment is slipping past. come on brain get it together. the moment is gone and i did nothing. something intolerable happened right in front of me and i did nothing. i feel ashamed.

i wonder if that man thinks that all the other people on the train thought it was fine for that kid to spit in his face?

to that man where ever you are, i am so sorry about what happened on the train. it disgusted me and i wish i had expressed some form of friendship to you today.
charlie