You may have noticed that this blog is tagged "shared responsibility". A lot of my posts are tagged this way. What I'm going to do here is tell you a pretty short story about something that happened to me very recently, and you can decide for yourself if this tag is appropriate.
I was shopping with a friend of mine and on our way to one of the stores we saw a hobo lying on the sidewalk. We were on the drag (popular shopping/eating/whatever section of Guadalupe, near to the University of Texas in Austin, also known for its hobos), by the way, so we weren't exactly surprised by the hobo's being there, but he was lying very still so I kind of stopped and said "is he alive?" My friend, of course, assured me he was sleeping. I dunno why I asked that it just kind of weirded me out--he was so still. But after a few moments I wasn't thinking about it anymore and we went into another store.
Walking down the drag back to 21st street we saw some ambulance/police car rigamarole (also a fairly common sight on the drag) stopped nearby. I really don't like seeing ambulances...it kind of upsets me a little and I start praying. Silently. I know it's kind of weird; it's just something I usually do.
My friend and I were talking about something totally unrelated but we both stopped when he realized that someone was being picked up on a stretcher in the path ahead of us. Then my friend says "Hey, I think you were right." Of course I'm a little slow on the uptake because were talking about something else, but then she adds "about that guy."
That very still hobo.
I guess what I was feeling must have been showing on my face because she instantly started reassuring me and going "don't look like that" and "look, he's moving, he's fine". But I was feeling pretty close to tears and I just couldn't stop thinking that I should have called 911; when I saw him lying so still curled up in a little C-shape I should have called 911.
I wonder how long it took someone to do just that.
I wonder if he's going to be okay.
I don't know, maybe he was just passed out drunk...or maybe he had hypothermia and nobody would help him and he was dying all alone with all these people passing by.
I don't know, but I don't want to pass any more C-shaped hobos anymore.
You may be still wondering why this blog was tagged with shared responsibility. It may or may not be tagged correctly.
That's your call.
Yes, I think this is an appropriate title, but it isn't necessary to make her feel worse. You honestly think she's ever going to be in that situation again and NOT make the call? Her blog alone tells you she wouldn't, simply because she can't stop thinking about it. I'm really surprised by one or two of these comments.
Bystander apathy is a HUGE phenomenon, and if you want to read an amazing story, look up "Kitty Genovese" on google.
Thank you so much! You seem like a really compassionate person. I know which comments you're talking about, and while I was a little surprised by them at first I definitely understand where they were coming from and I don't think they were trying to be critical.
I don't think anyone said anything to make her feel worse. I read all the comments and they seem to be very supportive of her and her blog and her courage to post it. Discussing the issue is not insulting to anyone. I, for one, find it flattering when people discuss the issues in my blogs.
It is nice of you to be concerned about her feelings, though.
"Never go with a hippy to a second location."
~Jack Donaghy
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I don't think it is anyone's intention to make warrior-poet feel worse. Is warrior-poet a she or he? I've asked myself that before, the picture made me think he, but then a blog about body image issues made me think she?
Anyway, I think what people are responding to is the amazing fact that he/she cared to share this. It obviously bothered him/her, and we are all just encouraging the effort to not be apathetic bystanders. Hopefully others will read this and think about themselves, not warrior-poet.
"Consistency is not a human trait" - Maude, from Harold and Maude
Hm. I guess my picture makes me look like a guy. I'm a girl.
Thanks, you obviously got the purpose of this. While this is definitely a personal blog, I also intended for it to make people look at themselves a little.
Wow.
What an absolutely powerful story. Thank you for sharing and reminding us.
"Goodness is the only investment that never fails."
H.D.Thoreau http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sahara
We all have a shared responsibility to help our fellow neighbor....even the hobo on the street. Definately appropriately tagged.~angi~
I like your post. It's a very moving story. My hope is that next time, you'll make that call.
Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.
Absolutely an appropriate tag. And a good reminder to us all.
"Never go with a hippy to a second location."
~Jack Donaghy
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I have been in Austin a few times and know that its University area is replete with hobos. it is a common sight and not paying attention to them is normal.
i believe next time you will probably make sure if a person on the street is okay.
I once encountered a hobo sleeping with his blanket caught on fire because of a burning cigar. i had to swipe the blanket away before it would burn his skin.
the sight of danger here was obvious, but after that moment i pay attention to people on the street.
I don't want to make you feel worse, but if you really wanted to do the right thing, you wouldn't have been afraid to approach the man and ask him if he was ok. What's the worst that could have happened? Maybe he was sleeping, and you would have annoyed him. He might have woken up startled and yelled and cursed at you. So what? You would at least have known he was okay. If he didn't respond to you, you would have called for help.
On the other hand, should you beat yourself up? I don't think so. The fact that you cared enough to keep thinking about is progressive, and hopefully next time you will respond differently.
Even if you had called earlier, his outcome probably wouldn't have been any different. However, I see this as being about you, not him. His story was written before you encountered him. You are not responsible for the condition in which you found him. But it would be good for you to ask yourself, What was holding you back?
"Consistency is not a human trait" - Maude, from Harold and Maude
I don't think I'd ever pass someone who looked like they even just might be in trouble again. I hope not, anyway. Thank you for your comment.
We're all humans, and we all have the responsibility to look out for our fellows. So yes, I'd say that "shared responsibility" is very relevant here.
I always feel guilty about passing hobos on the street, especially if they're begging. I'd like to help them out, but then there's the possibility that whatever money I give them goes towards pretty useless things, like alcohol or cigarettes. Or heroin. But... since we all have "shared responsibility" for one another, I'm going to say it's better to give the hobo the benefit of the doubt.
On another related note, I feel the same way when I pass an car accident:
"Should I call 911? I know that there are probably dozens of others already calling, but should I? Maybe I should stop and get out? But I'm stuck in traffic, several lanes away. And there are already a bunch of people over there." This happened over the summer, I remember distinctly. And I kept driving. I don't think that was the responsible thing to do, and I regret it.
that is always a possibility. this wasn't a guy asking for money, though. It just bothered me.
I've always been told that the best thing to do for these guys is give them food, not money.
Most people are thinking exactly the same way you are. Bystander apathy is a rampant phenomenon.
What's worse, being a pain to the 911 line, or no one calling for help at all? What if that was one of your loved ones in the accident?
"Consistency is not a human trait" - Maude, from Harold and Maude