Our Apathetic Society: A Rant
I need to vent because I'm tired of the apathetic society we now live in. I'm sure there are people out there who can leave the suburban bubble they live in for periods of time and get to know - and help - their neighbours, but I have not encountered this in years and fear these people are a dying breed. I can give you more than half a dozen examples of what I speak, but I will limit it to three...the most recent:
1) The neighborhood I live in (which 5 years ago could have been called a suburban utopia) has seen an increase in vandalism in recent years. A few months ago after our house was vandalised, my father went outside up a ladder to clean it up. As he was doing so, he was shot at with firecrackers while being vocally assaulted by a group of people with various swear words that you can't print in a public journal (even if it IS Livejournal). Several neighbours peered out their window, but then quickly shut their blinds not wishing to get involved. My father was fortunately alright.
2) Last fall, while taking my dog out for a pre-bedtime bathroom break, I was threatened by two youths who got off the bus at the stop next to my house. They told me they were going to kick me in the head and that it was in my best interests to go back in the house because they were going to "bitchslap" me up and down the street. My father, once again, heard the commotion and came outside to straighten the punks up. The neighbours, also having heard the commotion, peeked out the window to see what was going on and then went about their daily business...which apparently does not concern getting involved.
3) Last night at 3:30 a.m., a car crashed into a tree in front of my neighbour's lawn. My father rushed outside to see if the driver (the lone occupant) needed help...they were bleeding profusely. It appeared there was no airbag and their head went through the windshield. Again, several neighbours peered out their windows to see what all the commotion was about but then quickly shut the lights off and went back to bed. No one else came out to offer help or ensure that the person was alright. I can't say that no one other than us called 911, but it's not too far beyond my speculation.
It unnerves me to think that it may be me oneday with my car wrapped around a tree (or worse) and no one bothers to come to my aid. It turns out this particular person was driving drunk (and I have STRONG opinions regarding that), but I still think they deserve to have someone come to their aid. Hiding behind our curtains is not the way to better society. We need to see beyond our own fortress.
I've always thought about moving to the country, but have been hesitant because there wouldn't be anyone around in case of an emergency. Well...I'm just learning that living in the city is no different.
1) The neighborhood I live in (which 5 years ago could have been called a suburban utopia) has seen an increase in vandalism in recent years. A few months ago after our house was vandalised, my father went outside up a ladder to clean it up. As he was doing so, he was shot at with firecrackers while being vocally assaulted by a group of people with various swear words that you can't print in a public journal (even if it IS Livejournal). Several neighbours peered out their window, but then quickly shut their blinds not wishing to get involved. My father was fortunately alright.
2) Last fall, while taking my dog out for a pre-bedtime bathroom break, I was threatened by two youths who got off the bus at the stop next to my house. They told me they were going to kick me in the head and that it was in my best interests to go back in the house because they were going to "bitchslap" me up and down the street. My father, once again, heard the commotion and came outside to straighten the punks up. The neighbours, also having heard the commotion, peeked out the window to see what was going on and then went about their daily business...which apparently does not concern getting involved.
3) Last night at 3:30 a.m., a car crashed into a tree in front of my neighbour's lawn. My father rushed outside to see if the driver (the lone occupant) needed help...they were bleeding profusely. It appeared there was no airbag and their head went through the windshield. Again, several neighbours peered out their windows to see what all the commotion was about but then quickly shut the lights off and went back to bed. No one else came out to offer help or ensure that the person was alright. I can't say that no one other than us called 911, but it's not too far beyond my speculation.
It unnerves me to think that it may be me oneday with my car wrapped around a tree (or worse) and no one bothers to come to my aid. It turns out this particular person was driving drunk (and I have STRONG opinions regarding that), but I still think they deserve to have someone come to their aid. Hiding behind our curtains is not the way to better society. We need to see beyond our own fortress.
I've always thought about moving to the country, but have been hesitant because there wouldn't be anyone around in case of an emergency. Well...I'm just learning that living in the city is no different.