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 For the Week of November 9, 2009by Rubel Shelly We have circled back to the discussion of “civic responsibility” in light of recent events in Richmond, California. It seems that some 20 or more people were witnesses to the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl just outside the building where a homecoming dance was being held. The assault went on for two and one-half hours, and as many as half the witnesses were directly involved in it. Psychologists are revisiting their theories of why it is that crowds are less likely to get involved to help victims than individual observers; if someone looks around and sees that others are doing nothing, it is theorized, than doing nothing becomes the norm. It is thus easier for otherwise decent people to be indecent. Then criminologists weigh in with theories about fear of retaliation or street codes against “snitching” on criminals. Witnesses don’t believe the justice system is capable of keeping its promise to protect them against criminals. They fear stepping forward and putting themselves at risk. They are self-protective. At some point, ethicists and preachers will step forward to name the deed for what everyone already knows it to be. Evil, selfishness, failure to love one’s neighbor, indifference – all these are appropriate labels for the spirit that allows one human being to stand by while another human being is dehumanized. Many of us have remembered the name of Kitty Genovese in the wake of the Richmond incident. Others have thought of the episode at Big Dan’s Bar – and perhaps the movie based on that incident, The Accused. But I wonder how many of us have actually examined our own attitude toward strangers, resolved to care enough to take risks, or actually stepped up to help someone whose life situation we have known for some time to be in peril? Oh, yes! There are some of us who work alongside people we know to be self-destructing because of drug or alcohol abuse. Others see the flirtation by the married friend or know about the affair. Some have been asked what to do by an abused woman or a bookkeeper who has been told to keep his mouth shut about padded expense reports or financial shenanigans. Do we really have a responsibility to step up in these situations? Are we morally obligated to try to make a difference? Report what is happening? Get involved with helping people we don’t really know? Experts are going on TV to tell us we can deter violence or interrupt violent behavior. They are reminding us to call 911. Even people who don’t know they are citing Scripture are using the term “Good Samaritan.” Civic responsibility is a good concept, but there is yet another biblical citation that comes to mind. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7).   |
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