Altruism tested

On the bus back from Westwood today, I witnessed an example of behavior which tests public altruism. A mild smell of urine and women shut their noses in disgust. At first I thought I might be the cause célèbre. Earlier in the morning, I was in a terrible situation myself when I almost felt I would pass out. After 45 minutes of agony, I moved from the Space Park station to Manhattan Beach boulevard and rapidly walked toward the nearest plaza. After several miles, I was overjoyed to see a distant sign of some outlet. At the plaza, I marched toward the gas station and asked for relief. The lady who worked there pointed to the nearby 99 Store. At such pressure, I painfully moved inside the huge store and asked another Latin lady for restroom. She pointed toward one corner. A sigh of relief, I finally managed to relieve myself.

The man, an elderly Armenian looking gentleman finally got down. To the horror of passengers, another apparently homeless person boarded the bus. Smell was foul, much stronger than the earlier episode. As this gentleman settled down near the rear section of the bus, most passengers mainly women quickly shut their mouth. They quickly moved away to a safer distance. The whole bus must have experienced distress. I was totally stoic however. My experience of life has taught me virtue and altruism, despite my imperfect existence. I just stared at this person and observed him closely. I saw the person shaking his head. I quickly realized he was suffereing from some serious condition of the mind. I quickly felt sympathetic and even thought I would have invited this person into my apartment, allow him a pleasure of a clean shower and even buy him some new clothes. As I was on my way back from a job agency, clearly there was no way I could really help this person. Even handing him a couple of dollars was out of the question. As I saw this bearded figure, my thoughts roamed and it seemed he looked like St. Nicholas or Roald Amundsen. I honestly wanted to help but did nothing. I always see myself as guest of Americans in this country, rich or poor.

I wonder why altruism is conscientious in my nature. Just why? But if this person would have been a black man, a Latino or an Asian. I certainly think I would have been less motivated. I would feel something though, although helping a white man, especially someone who is elderly and in a sorry state with similar episodes to my near and dear. Also the feelings come from my schooling, I suspected my teachers. I had white American teachers in my fourth grade, sixth grade, seventh grade and tenth grade and college, all volunteers from America. Although I am not a Christian, these people I believe have injected some values.

Some feelings were outright controversial. A heavy Latino young man made comments which conflicted with my ideals. He said he could excuse the poor but they had to be “clean by choice”. The young man was completely not aware of the mental deficiency of the person concerned. The old man obviously had no control over his life. He did not deserve ridicule. Worse was a uniformed nurse trainee who could not sit next to this person. After all the nurse wannabe expects to serve the sick. I wonder how this guy can last in a hospital if he lacks patience and perseverance.
02/22/2011