Last Wednesday, we were asked to write what we plan on talking about in our TED talks. I had two ideas in mind one death and why we never talk about it until it happens, and why don’t people speak out when things do not seem right. Keeping the very taboo death and not speaking out topics, one name came to mind. Kitty Genovese for those of you not familiar with her she was raped and beaten to death because bystanders heard the woman’s screams but did nothing. If I am correct, one person yelled out to the attacker to get away from the women so the attacker ran off but later returned to finish her off. After the death of Kitty Genovese it came out that many people heard the woman’s cries for help but chose to keep silent. With this story in mind, I started searching through my Google reader account and found this blog post written by Vicki Bell to her daughter in reaction to the recent suicide of the Rutgers’s student who killed himself after a tape was posted on the internet of him having sex with another male. Her words really hit home in so many ways. I wanted to talk about this because she did the right thing in a bad situation. What Vicki says to her daughter can relate to us all in the future teacher profession or any role in life for that matter. We should send this message to our children in the classroom as she did to her own child. Judging from the movies we watch in class students may not have role models like Vicki at home so we should become their safe haven. Vicki Bell tells her daughter there is “nothing that can ruin your life forever. NOTHING.” This quote should be shared with everyone. People should always keep this in mind when they approach a situation that does not seem right. Do not walk away. Act on it and speak out. Far too often people do not feel they have others to turn to and if they just had that one person to talk to or save them that would have made all the difference. I plan to use Vicki Bells letter and Kitty Genovese story in my TED talk as prime examples of what and what not to do in horrible situations such as the two listed above.
As stated in her letter to her daughter people do not see the big picture until the dreaded aftermath occurs. Is this why people do nothing when they see someone fighting with a spouse, or children fighting in the streets? Is today’s society too worried about the now that they do not think things through and see the whole picture. Kitty Genovese story dates back to 1964 and there are lots of stories just like hers out there, that being said, maybe it is a vicious cycle that needs to be broken. Many of us say we would do something but very few of us do when the occasion arises. Saying things and actually doing something are two different things. I plan to uncover reasons why people do not speak out. We can only use the scared or minding my own business cards so many times. Today people can call 911 anyomously with no penalty and send help, but few do. Why? Put yourself in that person’s shoes it could be you. Would you want people to help you if you were in trouble? Then why not do the same for a stranger. Let us flip roles and do this hypothetical what if your family member were accused in a harsh crime would you turn them in. If you answered No, that could be another reason why so many people do not report crime. I encourage you all to read this blog post and tell me your reactions to it and why. You can find this post on http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2010/10/nothing-ruins-your-life-forever.html then click on the underlined purple “this post by Vicki Bell”. This woman is a true inspiration we should all try her way of thinking in our own lives. The world would be a much better place from it.
As stated in her letter to her daughter people do not see the big picture until the dreaded aftermath occurs. Is this why people do nothing when they see someone fighting with a spouse, or children fighting in the streets? Is today’s society too worried about the now that they do not think things through and see the whole picture. Kitty Genovese story dates back to 1964 and there are lots of stories just like hers out there, that being said, maybe it is a vicious cycle that needs to be broken. Many of us say we would do something but very few of us do when the occasion arises. Saying things and actually doing something are two different things. I plan to uncover reasons why people do not speak out. We can only use the scared or minding my own business cards so many times. Today people can call 911 anyomously with no penalty and send help, but few do. Why? Put yourself in that person’s shoes it could be you. Would you want people to help you if you were in trouble? Then why not do the same for a stranger. Let us flip roles and do this hypothetical what if your family member were accused in a harsh crime would you turn them in. If you answered No, that could be another reason why so many people do not report crime. I encourage you all to read this blog post and tell me your reactions to it and why. You can find this post on http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2010/10/nothing-ruins-your-life-forever.html then click on the underlined purple “this post by Vicki Bell”. This woman is a true inspiration we should all try her way of thinking in our own lives. The world would be a much better place from it.
I find this topic to be very interesting and I believe you would be able to relate this to the class. Everyone has either been a bully, been bullied or been the bystander. Since everyone has been involved in this one way or another, we know as the one who has been the victim that you wish someone would just say something so you don't feel so alone or make the bully stop. I feel especially with the recent events this is an important topic to talk about, not only because of bullying but also events like your example of Kitty Genovese.
ReplyDeleteYour topic totaly struck home with me. This subject will definitely provoke a strong emotional response with the class. Its very scary but very real that these events are happening in society. Considering that several years ago I was mugged Id like to see how you explore reasons why we dont get involved. It is tragic that the children of today live in fear of bully's and cyber persecution. They should be more concerned with playing with their friends and working hard to excell at school.
ReplyDeletethere are many cases like this Kerrie i remember watching a video in one of my classes. I dont remember quite what happened in the video i think the guy got into a fight and was stabbed he was laying down on the side walk for 10 mins. The secruity cameras from the store showed at a least 10 people walking by no one saying anything no one asking if they could help. And the video continued to show clips like this.
ReplyDeleteI think partially this happens is because one people dont want to get involved and we are decentsitise to some of these things. We see a guy laying on the street in NY oh look its just another homeless guy oh look a fight nothing new here. Sometimes people should intervine more then they do but they just dont want to get involved. I think its a terrible thing society has gone through and Im not making excuses just might be one explanation even though its not a good reason it is one none the less.
Kerrie,
ReplyDeleteI liked how you incorporated the victim with the reader by asking what the reader would want done if they were in the victims place. You have interesting topics which are similar to my topic, in that people are uncomfortable with thoughts of death and pain. I am interested in hearing how you present your TED Talk.
Robert Gourley.