Through Their Eyes

      Being aware of your mental health is very important. From birth, there are many things that can bring trauma into a person’s life. If it goes without management it can lead to a lifetime of pain. Many of you may have heard about the recent shooting on the NYC subway. Seeing video footage of the event was scary and is every New Yorkers nightmare as of recent times. In it, you see one man antagonizing another until a fight happens, leading into the shooting. Through my eyes, I see the start or continuation of a cycle of trauma for all involved. You have the trauma of the aggressor, that of the victim who defended himself, the people on the train, and those of us who watched the video.

      From the perspective of the aggressor, you have a Black man who is clearly experiencing a mental episode. When interviewed, his ex-wife states he becomes aggressive when drinking. His mother’s neighbor states that the police visited her home as few times as he lived there following his divorce. This same mother passed away from cancer a few months ago. In observation you may have a man who started having hallucinations and using alcohol as cover. Add losing a parent. Add 30+ years of a life that could have had negative events occur.

      From the perspective of the victim defending himself. You have a man of Middle Eastern descent who has two kids. He tried to ignore the aggressor. He defends himself in a fight with a man with a knife. Someone attempts to come to his rescue and the aggressor pulls a gun out. The fight continues and there are only 2 options, fight or flight. He fights to save his life, wrestling the gun away, shooting the aggressor. The cops arrest him. Fortunately, there are no charges following the video evidence. In observation, you have a man who was afraid. A man who shot someone trying to save his own life. The cops place him in handcuffs. Add 30+ years of a life where something negative could have happened.

     From the perspective of the people on the train. There are many exhausted from the day as this happened at ~4:45 PM. Children under 18 are present on the train. Everyone was trapped on the train car until it pulled into the station. They all are praying the bullet does not accidentally hit them. There are memories of other recent subway shootings. In observation, you have people who may never take the subway again. People who may become triggered to carry weapons of their own.

    From the perspective of the people watching the video. You may have someone who internalizes this affecting their mental state. One may become a copycat to attempt the same thing. In observation, you may have people who put up a wall and never visit NYC. Or someone who may internalize the aggression, bringing it out into the world.

     As a society, we must support people from early ages. This can reduce a lifetime of hurt. Trauma can lead to explosive behaviors where hurt people, hurt others. We can change this for future generations by helping to create an environment where they won’t suffer alone. Where they can have the supports needed to be able to open up and express themselves. To end, let’s promote self expression for all boys and girls and men and women.