A Homeless Man Dies, Alone and Discarded
Has it really come to this? A homeless man in New York saves the life of a passerby, yet after he was stabbed by the same perpetrator, countless people walked passed him as though he was some sort of debris on a New york sidewalk. I remember a story from years ago, again from New York, when a person was threatening to jump to his suicidal death. On-lookers yelled, “Jump! Jump!”, and so he did.
I recall another incident in which a woman was screaming while being raped in a dark New York alley. Though people heard her screams, no one came to her aid, not wanting to ‘get involved.’ This does not just happen in New York, of course, but unfortunately across the country. And if you want to make a stretch, think of the genocide, rapes and murders in the DR Congo which go unpunished and condoned in absentia of social conscience.
We must somehow look at these acts as indictments of society’s lack of caring outside the field of self. Unless we as a society begin to care about such heinous acts, we are as guilty as the perpetrators and those who pass by with little more than a glance.
—cher
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A sad story indeed. For some it’s lack of caring, but for others it’s fear. Fear that by getting involved they could get pulled into the mix and be hurt or killed too.
I’m nervous about the world and where we’re all headed. Technology is driving us apart even if it looks like it’s bringing us closer together. People seem less concerned about each other. Entitlement runs rampant. It’s scary.
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Unfortunately, the list could go on and on, across societies and across centuries. It’s hard not to be cynical and/or pessimistic.
We have to keep hoping.
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One of The Guys,
I can understand fear to some extent, but this was complete negligence of humanity, as well as a bit of voyeurism. I agree; it is scary.
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Chris J,
It is hard not to be cynical. I am fortunate in that I have found people on the Internet, as well as in my personal life, who would reach out in a heartbeat to help a stranger. There are still those in society who are callous, hardened to the core. It is a sad commentary, especially for this man who did a heroic act and was then stabbed to death. It is unconscionable.
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Dear Cher,
Indeed, this is shocking and saddening. The blight of humanity that is apathy, rears its ugly head, once again.
I know that I could not have passed this poor soul by. I will take the possible risk of being involved.
On a side note; I have worked with the homeless and ‘rough sleepers’ over here in England. What I noticed was how many of these folks were labelled and stigmatised. It might surprise some people to know that I met many a homeless person of great intelligence and education. People whose lives had been turned upside down through traumatic circumstances. They did not fit the convenient stereotype.
When a brother or sister is in need. I will reach out my hand.
With respect, Gary
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This is sad. Human nature is cruel.
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Dear Gary,
I does not surprise me that you have worked with the homeless and disadvantaged. You have a good heart and see what lies beneath. Sometimes it is an amazing discovery when we learn the intellect and education within some of these individuals, yet they are stigmatized by heartless individuals who themselves may be one catastrophe away from needing to join their ranks. Thank you for showing us the better side of human nature.
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Harrison,
It is indeed sad. My hope is lifted by people who are touched by the heinous nature of what happened to this individual.
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I was so saddened when I heard of this incident it seems like we are so caught up in our own worlds that more then not, we can be sure there will be little help from passerby’s if we need it and regarding social conscience I’m with you it seems like a thing of the past.
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
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Dorothy S,
I really hope that this incident is not indicative of our society as a whole. It would be dreadful to think that was the case.
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this is more than sad.
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They say that big city mentality is just like that….people are so busy with their own lives that they dare not get involved with anything or anyone outside of that realm.
Is it fear or ignorance that turns a blind eye to helping a stranger that is in dire straits?
I would agree with The Guys that it is more likely the fear factor that contributes largely to this issue.
I doubt that this issue is new as long ago the grandfathers of our time steered very clear of big city living for this reason exactly. They feared being robbed and attacked.
I would be more inclined to wonder why is it that people who live in a big city are so much different than people that live in small cities in regards to another humans life. What is it about big city living that so changes ones ability to get involved in helping another?
Great topic~
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D,
You bring up some excellent ideas. There is something almost hostile about big city mentality. Maybe that is why most cities, including our own, have cameras logistically placed. Who would have thought it would come to this, but most people welcome it at least if they live outside the city but must be there for some purpose.
The vast majority of people, I believe, are magnanimous and well-intentioned. In large cities, however, there seems to be a survival of the fittest mentality and a hardening of the heart, with too many people taking advantage of others. It is a sad commentary on character within society. And it seems to be getting worse.
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