Pop Quiz Time Again
So, I'm driving home from work last night, up Washington Street in Roxbury, heading toward Jamaica Plain, when I see a guy lying on the sidewalk. Let me clarify - I see a guy with his legs half in the gutter, and the rest of his body sprawled awkwardly on the sidewalk, definitely not your typical homeless person taking in a late afternon nap.
And he's not moving.
Traffic was as expected for that time of day, moderately heavy. From all the cars on that particular stretch of road at that time, how many people do you think actually pulled over and got out of their cars to check on this man's condition and call for an ambulance.
I wouldn't go so far as to call that guy some kind of hero, or "super-citizen" . He only did what any decent, civilized person would have done in that situation. Yet, NO ONE before him stopped. They just pretended not to see what was in plain sight and kept on driving like a bunch of ostriches with their heads stuck in the sand.
What's that? A black guy in the gutter? In Roxbury? Not my problem, pal!
You know what - screw the damn chickadee! I'm going to petition the legislature to change the official bird of the Commonwealth to the ostrich. Or at least find some fifth-grade class to take it up as their special Civics project. Our leaders up on Bacon Hill (not a typo) love working on important shit like that.
And he's not moving.
Traffic was as expected for that time of day, moderately heavy. From all the cars on that particular stretch of road at that time, how many people do you think actually pulled over and got out of their cars to check on this man's condition and call for an ambulance.
A) Why, hundreds, if not thousands. All those John Kerry voters take great pride in being compassionate liberals, who care deeply for their fellowmanperson - especially those less fotunate individuals living in the lower-income, minority neighborhoods.
B) At least five or six. I mean, who wouldn't?
C) One.
I wouldn't go so far as to call that guy some kind of hero, or "super-citizen" . He only did what any decent, civilized person would have done in that situation. Yet, NO ONE before him stopped. They just pretended not to see what was in plain sight and kept on driving like a bunch of ostriches with their heads stuck in the sand.
What's that? A black guy in the gutter? In Roxbury? Not my problem, pal!
You know what - screw the damn chickadee! I'm going to petition the legislature to change the official bird of the Commonwealth to the ostrich. Or at least find some fifth-grade class to take it up as their special Civics project. Our leaders up on Bacon Hill (not a typo) love working on important shit like that.
