I see a stick skinny girl on the train and think she probably has such an easy time in the way of clothes, swimsuits, body image... But then I look at her face. Sad. Dejected. Doesn't make eye contact.
I think more often than not we assume people don't have issues if they don't have our issues. The problem with this line of thinking is that it's centered around self and lacks an empathy towards others' stories and struggles.
Just because someone is rich and doesn't ever have to worry about going over on non-existent budgets and hasn't even thought about making rent in the last five years, doesn't mean that their life is exactly what you want. Their story presents a whole other line of complications that aren't negated due to wealth.
We want it all. We make ridiculous comments saying we're jealous of $250 a month subsidized rent but diminish the struggle that is not making enough money so that strangers need to step in and make up the difference; meanwhile standing in the grocery line with a newborn and needing to put back the name brand cheese because it doesn't qualify for food stamps.
I see these exaggerated differences in humanity on a daily basis. I live in New York City. The rich and the poor - riding together on the train car. And if you live here, you know - that train car looks pretty different the higher you go. On some days, on the express train, I notice I'm the only white person riding after 59th street. And in those moments I'm keenly aware of the fact that discrimination, racial profiling, and stereotypes are alive and well (coming from all sections on the color wheel).
I see these harsh points of difference when the barefooted homeless man holds his hands out to people and they put their arm over their nose and try to move so as not to brush any body parts or possessions with his frail frame and empty pockets.
I wish I were more concerned with trying to find a quarter than I am with trying to feign an apologetic expression while I say, "sorry."
I think more often than not we assume people don't have issues if they don't have our issues. The problem with this line of thinking is that it's centered around self and lacks an empathy towards others' stories and struggles.
Just because someone is rich and doesn't ever have to worry about going over on non-existent budgets and hasn't even thought about making rent in the last five years, doesn't mean that their life is exactly what you want. Their story presents a whole other line of complications that aren't negated due to wealth.
We want it all. We make ridiculous comments saying we're jealous of $250 a month subsidized rent but diminish the struggle that is not making enough money so that strangers need to step in and make up the difference; meanwhile standing in the grocery line with a newborn and needing to put back the name brand cheese because it doesn't qualify for food stamps.
I see these exaggerated differences in humanity on a daily basis. I live in New York City. The rich and the poor - riding together on the train car. And if you live here, you know - that train car looks pretty different the higher you go. On some days, on the express train, I notice I'm the only white person riding after 59th street. And in those moments I'm keenly aware of the fact that discrimination, racial profiling, and stereotypes are alive and well (coming from all sections on the color wheel).
I see these harsh points of difference when the barefooted homeless man holds his hands out to people and they put their arm over their nose and try to move so as not to brush any body parts or possessions with his frail frame and empty pockets.
I wish I were more concerned with trying to find a quarter than I am with trying to feign an apologetic expression while I say, "sorry."
No comments:
Post a Comment