WHERE IS THE HUMANITY?

 

I typically wouldn't post something like this on my blog but after I saw the story on the news this morning I was sickened so much so by it that I felt compelled to write about it.

 

 

New York City yesterday when a 58-year-old man was pushed to his death in front of an oncoming train. Witnesses said Ki-Suk Han was shoved after a brief argument with a man who had been seen talking to himself moments earlier. The train driver was unable to stop in time. After being pushed, "he gets back on his feet,” a police source says "He’s waving to the train, ‘Stop! Stop!’ He tries to climb up onto the platform and the train hits him."              

 

 

News reports say that several witnesses were treated at the scene for shock and trauma.  I can understand the shock and the trauma that these poor people had after witnessing such a horrific murder. But I ask why didn't someone help him? The victim has hanging onto he platform ledge if 2 people were to take each of this man's hands maybe this father and husband would still be alive! How could anyone just stand there and watch the on-coming subway and a helpless man screaming for help and do nothing? Where is the humanity???

 

 

Then to top it all off a local photographer, Umar Abbasi, who was waiting to catch   the subway took pictures of the whole crime unfolding. He watched as the victim screamed and yelled for help and all he could muster up in response was to take pictures?  His claim was that he took the pictures to help the man. That the flash of the camera would make the subway driver stop the train.  Look at this picture, how would have the driver been able to stop that close? Where is the humanity I ask again?     

 

      

 

I post this because how often are we wrapped up in our own business and we do not stop and help those around us? I am sure if it was one of our friends or family members we would have done everything in our power to help pull them out to safety. Now this man's children do not have a father and his wife is a widow. Why couldn't someone help? I understand that the shock could have prevented people from helping, but everyone?

 

I am reminded of the parable in the Bible of the Good Samaritan:

Luke 10:30-37

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’  “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”  The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

 

This whole story has made me stop and evaluate myself, am I too busy to help? The answer at times is unfortunately yes. How about you?

 

I know this time of the year we get caught up in shopping, decorating, etc. but we need to stop and look around and see where we can help. There are so many around us that need our help, what can you do?