Tuesday, February 26, 2008

"What Would You Do?"

ABC Primetime had a program on (actually, it's still on as I'm typing this) which asks, "What Would You Do?"

Topics included:

1. A Muslim woman is refused service at a restaurant and told she's a terrorist and asked to leave. Obviously, she is not a terrorist in this case, but if you saw this happening, what would you do?

2. A group of young girls are in a park and are "picking" on another girl, verbally abusing her. If you saw this happening, what would you do? Would you step in to help the girl or walk on by and do nothing?

3. The bestman of an upcoming wedding sees the bride-to-be getting "too friendly" with someone who is not the groom-to-be. If you were the bestman, what would you do? Would you tell the groom or hold your tongue?

4. The driver of a car parallel parks his car and bumps the car behind him and damages the other car's bumper. Then, he leaves the scene without care of the damage he's done. What would you do? Do you confront the driver, go find the owner of the damaged car, or do nothing?

I found myself getting upset by this program and getting very angry at the responses of some of the passerby's. Like some of the more involved passerby's, I really believe I would go up to each of these situations and fight for the right of the persons victimized. Would you? Would you have the courage to get involved and stand up for someone else and to stand up for what you believe is right? I understand that some people are afraid to get involved and may see the situations as "none of their business." But how can you feel good about yourself when you see such injustices going on and do nothing?

A person's character is put to the test in situations like this. Having the courage to do what's right isn't easy. But I would hope that there is good in everyone and that when situations like this occur in front of them, that they would "do the right thing."

Something to think about.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

hey russ-

I saw this same episode and the part with the Muslim woman and the 'nerdy' got a little riled up myself! I used it to spark a discussion with my students the following day.

Thanks for sharing!