Reflecting on working and travelling overseas I am struck by the openess of accidental encounters. The willingness of people to help a stranger. The gift of friendship even if only for a few brief moments.
I've noticed, as well, that this impulse to support people who need help seems to be a common human characteristic. It transcends race, religion, culture and crosses generations and gender. It seems to have deep roots in our collective psyche. What is going on?
Although this basic state of goodwill seems universal - it obviously doesn't always work that way. The exception does prove the rule in this case.
Take, for example, an incident of racial abuse last Friday on the 1722 for Hereford out of Paddington railway station, London.
The train was very crowded as it always is on Friday evening and a black couple had had the foresight to book their seats in advance. Somebody had occupied one of the seats. When they asked him to move they were subjected to a sustained torrent of abuse. It was bullying and demeaning and deeply racist. The coach was shocked into silence.
A passenger who witnessed this fetched the train manager. She confronted the racist. Ordered him out of the seat. Called the transport police and had the man, a middle aged business type in pinstripes, removed from the train.
Our train manager, better described as the 'guard' (a good title for this 5' 3" lioness), then made an announcement apologising for the delay and to those who had been affected by the incident. She thanked the people who had supported her.
Our couple kept their silence and their dignity throughout.
So here, on a regular commuter train out of London, was a demonstration of physical and moral courage by an empowered individual. She could do this because she had guts and knew she had the support of the other passengers
I don't want to labour the point of telling this story, but the moral must be clear. It is OK to stand up to evil and ugliness wherever you encounter it. You will find allies, supporters and others of goodwill who will join you.
Sometimes the relationships of power in the workplace can make this hard. Those of us who work inside organisations have an obligation to help make it a safe place to challenge the bullies and the racists.
A place where the friendship of strangers can flourish.