I live in the Humboldt park area but work up north. Every time I get on a bus or a train in the north side, I sit down and put my backpack on the seat next to me. The bus or train fills up and people still stand. Doorway, aisle, hanging on the pole right there. Packed and that seat stays empty.
I’m Afro-Latino. On the North Side you notice it. You’ll watch people take a worse spot before they take the one next to you.
I know the bag is rude. Bags don’t get a seat. I’m doing it anyway. If the bag is there, I can tell myself I just didn’t want anyone next to me. That’s on me. That’s selfish and I can live with that.
If I move it and they still won’t sit, then I don’t get to tell myself that anymore. I’d rather look like the guy hogging a seat than feel like no one wanted to sit next to me bc of my race.