This photo was posted yesterday on Reddit, a user-generated social media website. It depicts an African-American man sleeping on the shoulder of an Orthodox Jewish man on the New York City subway. The photographer accompanied the photo with the following caption:
“Heading home on the Q train yesterday when this young African American guy nods off on the shoulder of a Jewish man. The man doesn’t move a muscle, just lets him stay there. After a minute, I asked the man if he wanted me to wake the kid up, but he shook his head and responded, ‘He must have had a long day, let him sleep. We’ve all been there, right?’
He was still sleeping soundly when I got off the train 20 minutes later.
It was a small gesture, but a kind one. I love New Yorkers!”
In the words of Charidy, a Lubavitch run Facebook group that first publicized the image: “What a wonderful reminder that every moment is a chance to do something good for another person. And not only that, but inspire the others around us with our small but powerful actions.”
In what is a testimony to the power of Facebook, the sleeping man has commented on the photo:
Garvey Dutes This is me, I was not on drugs. I came from a long day of college, very tired and I nodded off on this random guy. I actually remember falling asleep, haha thank you and god bless to that man who let me sleep.
Garvey Dutes We as new yorkers have a bad reputation. This would be a great way to shatter, that stereotype in a positive manner and bring people closer together. The only way is for it to be seen and heard. If I can reunite with this man, I would love for it to be public for the whole world. Or at least for new york to see. We need this light in a time of social despair.
Garvey Dutes This is perhaps one of the most beautiful things anyone has ever done for me. That day was indeed a long one. I am grateful to have met a kind human being that was not afraid or ashamed. Thank you
Simply. Wow.
Meanwhile, the photo has brought out another commenter, who had this to say:
Ben Ziggy Faulding: A similar thing happened to me about a year ago. A young Muslim with a hijaab and long skirt fell asleep on my shoulder. She kept taking up and apologizing, but she would just fall asleep on my shoulder again. I didn’t mind much
I think I have some dust in my eye…
Update: The sleeping man, Garvey Dutes, has posted on his own Facebook wall:
This picture of me was taken around 2010 (not to sure exactly) after a long day at John Jay college of criminal justice. This picture is worth more than a thousand words, it shows the compassion this man had for a random stranger on the train (me). Allowing me to rest my head for more than 20 minutes spectators say. This is a reminder that we are all one, the human being. Peace and one love ~Garvey Alexander~
He also seems to be a male model, so he obviously appreciates his beauty sleep!
A law school graduate, David Lange transitioned from work in the oil and hi-tech industries into fulltime Israel advocacy. He is a respected commentator and Middle East analyst who has often been cited by the mainstream media
A law school graduate, David Lange transitioned from work in the oil and hi-tech industries into fulltime Israel advocacy. He is a respected commentator and Middle East analyst who has often been cited by the mainstream media
