ap·a·thy/ˈapəTHē/
Noun:
Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. Synonyms:
It’s a word that I’m starting to think clearly defines many in today’s society. It’s either they don’t care enough or they go overboard with it. There is no middle ground.
I’m worried the most about the people who just don’t care because they have the potential to cause the most harm. It’s a concern of mine that has been growing for a while because I’m starting to wonder if some of my peers have lost their sense of what’s right and what’s wrong.
It really struck home Monday when I saw this Fox News video. A 2-year-old toddler was ignored by at least 18 people, according to Fox News, after she was ran over by a van on a Chinese street. The video showed people walking and driving by — yet never stopping. It might have happened in China, but its a problem that people are facing worldwide.
Rueter’s is reporting that the accident has flamed a public uproar on the immorality of modern society and suggested that people are now hesitant to help because they are afraid of being sued for it.
I think its pathetic that people now have to consider the ramifications of their actions before they will stop to help another person. I will admit — I consider my options before I stop. I consider whether I can help, if there are others stopping, and if it is safe for me to do so.
There have only been two instances where I have pulled over but not gotten out. One was a man who was crawling out of a ditch a few minutes for midnight on New Year’s Eve. I went on because I called the police (they had just gotten word and were already responding) and there were 18-wheelers that were already pulling over to help. I knew the man was going to get help and there was nothing I could provide from getting out except for getting in the way.
The second instance was when I saw a boy getting beat up by a group of guys one night. I was with two friends and we were worried about our safety so I called the cops and kept making loops. The guys stopped fighting as they saw me circling and the police arrived quickly.
I think there are more than one way to help. At the least, you can call emergency officials as you walk/drive by. However, the worst thing you could do is to not respond at all. I would rather bother the cops too much than to pass someone that looks like they are needing help and to not give it.
It’s hard to know how to get people to care about making the right decisions and to actually care about the decisions they make. The only thing I can say is that sooner or later your actions could be the difference in whether a person lives or not. If this happens, will you be able to live with your decision?
Memos for Me 