I have something serious to share today. I've spent more time than usual lately gazing at TV because of being ill. I am back to work/school but have still been laying on the sofa and watching the news because my energy was zip. The good news there is that I get to add some mileage today. Finally.
Living here in Georgia and being the mom of two intelligent, beautiful women sure made me feel the murders of Lauren Burk and Eve Carson deeply. I started to think about them; two women who were excelling in school, working hard, and making a difference in their respective communities. How did they each find themselves victims of murder within a week of one another? I don't know why, but a thought which haunts me is that each probably had a cell phone on their person or in their purse as they were attacked and killed.
Cell phones make women feel safe. They make me feel safe. I think that as long as I have my cell phone, no one can 'get' me. Or my girls. But that isn't true. I know that myself. And so do you. Cell phones are not mace. And they are not pepper spray. Cell phones don't know anything about self defense.
I am in NO WAY suggesting that either Lauren or Eve would still be alive - for all I know they may have had mace or pepper spray with them and known self defense. Sometimes the perpetrator is just that much bigger, stronger, whatever. But as women we need to take care of ourselves all the time. And look out for each other. What are your thoughts? And would you consider carrying a taser?
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4 comments:
The issue, unfortunately, is that cell phones don't make people safer. If someone is talking on their phone while walking or driving, they are actually paying less attention and are in more danger. The same thing applies to Ipods or anything that can distract you while you're out. If you’re listening to music, playing a game on your phone or portable game console, or just talking on the phone, you are a target.
The link below is to an article that list some safety tips:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2213835_avoid-an-attack.html
I agree that cell phones don't make you safe. I was taking a very late class last semester at KSU. The class let out at 10:45 at night and there was virtually no one on campus at that time. My teacher told us to always have a buddy and to carry our cell phone open with 911 already dialed into it. I thought at the time this was a good idea, but now that I look back, I don't know how this would save my life if I was attacked. I definately not think to hit send if I saw some strange man coming at me. And, if I did, chances are I would drop the phone and it wouldn't do many any good. I think mase and other alternatives are much safer than a cell phone.
I don't know why the cell phone popped into my head when that horrible week of death occurred, but I agree with you, it will take more than a cell phone.
I am not sure if "paranoid" is too strong of an adjective to give to myself.. but I am definitely constantly thinking about the possibilities anywhere I am.
I do tend to feel safer knowing I have my phone on me... or at least I feel very "naked" when i do NOT have my cell phone. You know, Murphy's Law says "if something can happen, it will happen." So I always think something bad is bound to happen if i don't have my cell phone.
I think the best thing you can do is to be prepared. Know your surroundings.. Know the quickest way away from where you are.. Know SOME form of "fighting back."
I recently took a self-defense class at KSU (which was great, by the way.. if you ever get the chance). They showed us tips on how to get out of someone's grip if you're attacked. First of all, you need to remember to yell NO! over and over again. It gets your adrenaline going.. and it can possibly get someone else's attention to come help you.
DON'T be afraid to poke eyeballs, grab testicals and pull hair!! If someone is attacking you, do ANYthing to get away. I'm not saying this stuff will DEFINITELY set you free... because you never know. But they are definitely good strategies.
Other things they told us to do was to gag someone by poking them in the soft part of the middle of their neck - That sort of sunken in part of skin above your collar bone. If you even try to push your own neck in that spot, you'll see how uncomfortable it is.
They actually showed us how to "scoop" someone's eyeballs. If they've got you in a bear hug type grasp and you are facing them with your hands up by your face, you just grab their head, push both thumbs into both of their eyes and pull out/away towards their ears.
In addition, always remember your feet - stomp on their toes (heels are especially effective in this!) and scrape the side of your sneaker down the front of their shin.
Anyway.. I am not a professional here. Just passing along some tips for the girls!!!
Definitely take a self-defense class if you ever get the chance. It can only help your chances!!!
-Heidi
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