"You never really understand a person until you consider things from point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." - Atticus from To Kill a Mockingbird
I've always been a big fan of the idea of putting oneself into someone's shoes before passing judgement - the quote above illustrates the idea best. I look at any situation where judgment is called and first try to see all sides - I mean how can you make any determination without considering everything. I don't understand people who stubbornly have an opinion or make an uneducated decision about something without first looking at all the facts - seems ignorant to me and it contributes to the decline of modern sensibility.
Empathy is another word that has been forgotten - I think at one time the enlightened human would empathize with those around them - there was a sensitivity that these days is lacking in both people and society in general. I think that's why so many special interest groups have sprung-up - it makes it easier for people to focus on one thing rather than on everything. Speaking of special interest groups - I can understand people unitiing under a specific cause, but sometimes it's taken so far that it becomes the antithesis of the original idea. The problem with most special interest groups is that the group as an entity develops its own needs that go over-and-above the original cause. When that happens it focus is on the group itself rather than the cause - case in point charitable institutions that spend most of the money donated on infrastructure and salaries, so that very little actually goes to those the group was created to support. Before donating any money make sure you look up how the funds are disbursed - I think you'll be unconfortably surprised at how little is actually contributed to those in need.
Having lived in Atlanta for some time it is always distressing to see pandhandlers with signs reading "Need Money for Food. God Bless" at the exit ramps. I used to always donate whatever change I had but now I ignore them, which is so against my basic personality of trying to help people in need. The problem is that I don't know if the person is actually in need or if he's trying to collect enough for a rock to smoke. As an experiment, while living in Little Five Points I rolled up to a guy at the curb with a similar sign and said "I don't have any money but I'm willing to pick up something for you at McDonalds" - the guy said "That's OK I don't want to lose my spot" and turned away. It just validated my point - I'd rather spend a little on a charity I know is actually disbursing funds to those in need, than give up that dollars worth of change in my center console. It sucks but my cynism prevails.
-- John
