Taking action by teaching intervention

I finally was able to meet my colleague in my local park that is across the street from where I live. We walked around the park while catching up on work. There were two young boys playing baseball and a girl’s soccer practice, a high school group of guys playing soccer, and some at the playground and tennis courts. There were no Asians. But I'm used to that.

The younger baseball game broke up as my colleague and I stopped to talk and I was facing the parking lot. It was a cool 60 degree day. A jeep passed by, with windows down and the man behind the wheel slowed down, coughed loudly with his hands covering his mouth and drove away. I commented to my colleague, that I thought that was directed at me. We both couldn't believe it, but I verified this as no one other car that drove by subsequently had their window down and no one else looked our way. This was an intentional harassment. I was so loopy from COVID shot #2 and the shock, that I forgot to take a picture of his car. I could have even run after him, but just didn't want to bother. I was most disheartened because the man who coughed was with his child.

A week later, I spoke with my colleague and discussed what happened and taught him to ask the person if they were OK and at least realize it is happening. We spoke in generalities and I shared the bystander intervention options and to teach his children. I also told my allies, family and new people I've met about the incident to let them know it's real. That is how I'm taking action.