Someone Else Will Do It // Samantha Tedder
Does not this thinking seem to be the way it always goes? Someone else will help the weary, someone else will help the hungry, someone else will help the poor, and the list goes on. Now, if one has something they are devoted to, like an act of service, one person can only do so much, and they should do it well. However, the case seems to be not that everyone is doing a few meaningful things well. Instead, it looks as if most do many meaningless things poorly. For example, in The Plague, no one at first wants to acknowledge the rats. Can one blame them? It is disgusting. However, dead rats followed by people dying of a plague-like illness are disgusting but warrant action and attention.
Additionally, no one wants to be the bearer of bad news either. There is no need to cause panic if it is a minor incident, but are not people entitled to know what is happening? Shouldn't they be given a chance to avoid the unknown? If they continue to go out until there is detailed information, so be it, but allowing ignorance with deadly consequences is detestable. Instead, the government and newspapers meander about doing anything until people begin to die. The doctors do not send for additional supplies and cures soon enough to prevent a spike in deaths because they cannot agree on what sickness it even is.
While for many readers, this should recall the beginning stages around Covid-19 and its impact on the world, it can be applied to almost anything. People need to observe and care for others. The world should not come together just because the worst virus of our generation has made its debut. Without negating the impact, horrors, or reality of Covid-19, it should be acknowledged that many other things in this world "plague" human life. As stated before, it always seems like most think someone else will do it. Consider for a moment, though, if everyone switched their thinking to, "What if I am the only one who can?" Then acted on it. What impact would it have on our world? How many "plagues" would be reduced or eradicated? As you read The Plague, please pay attention to whose actions upset you, why they upset you, and put yourself in their shoes. Ponder if you have ever gone too long without taking action, not to beat yourself up but to learn from these characters.
P.S. I commented on Emily Otts and Song's posts.
I agree. It is sad that so many things get in the way of people doing good things for everyone. I hope that one day, some people can put down their pride to find solutions that were waiting to be found.
ReplyDeleteMadalyn Dillard
DeleteThat someone else will do it mentality y is one that I personally have to battle with.
ReplyDeleteSadly most of the time I have that mentality and it is not one that a Christian should have. As a Christian if we see a need, we should try to fill it. That’s what the Good Samaritan did.
I think you are absolutely right in saying that all too often we as a society suppose that someone else will do what we do not do. It reminds me of the saying if not me then who. As a society we must remember that if we all carry this mindset nothing will every get done.
ReplyDelete