Whilst we were still young, we believed (well at least I believed) that everything should be fair and just, and that almost all people are actually good.
But, as we get older, we are told not to help the old auntie at the airport carry her bag 'cause she could potentially be carrying drugs. As we get older, we are made aware about the potential diseases you could contract from others hence shirking just ever so slightly away from other people. As we get older, we learn not to trust everyone, hence we get lonely, wonder why we are lonely and then desperately grope out to reach for someone who tugs at your heart strings.
This all stemmed from seeing a homeless man wearing a torn jacket, holding a lighter, scurrying around looking into bins whilst walking down Swanston street with David on a rainy day . It seemed, at least to me, that he was looking for something to set alight so that he could stay warm. He scurried and looked, getting more and more drenched by the minute.
So, I thought to myself, maybe I should give him our umbrella, maybe I could let him share our umbrella, maybe I should get him some hot tea and ask him how did he come to this. But, the cynic in me thought. Would he appreciate the umbrella? If he were to share it with us, would letting him come so close jeopardise our safety (basically would he start brandishing some random weapon at us)? Will giving him hot tea actually help since it would turn cold anyways?
Of course for someone to actually lash out when you try to help them only happens VERY VERY rarely (I think). However, there is still that minute possibility. And, where there is a possibility, humans mostly being risk averse would prefer not to take that risk.
So, it all comes down to our distrust of the world, of humans. It also comes down to humans being selfish and constantly running the theory of 'survival of the fittest' (perhaps capitalism?).
Anyways, my point is, when I was a child, I would not have thought of all that. It may not even have entered my train of thoughts.
Hence, the question is, am I willing to take all these risks I now know about to reach out to those in need? I want to say YES, I am willing... but can I live up to it? Will I be good enough to make some difference?
