Are Humans Still Human?

Yes, the definition of a Bystander by the dictionary is "a person present but not involved"(Dictionary 1)however lately I have come to notice more people taking action. For instance just the other day, a new program called "Let's Get Grounded" was instilled in Charlottesville, Virginia. The new program encourages students to be proactive and be more involved in their communities rather than suffer from the bystander effect. "Let's Get Grounded," was created in response to the murder of Yeardley Love by fellow lacrosse player George Huguely which occurred just over one year ago. One may ask the question, are humans still human? In response to that question, one local said reportedly, "Through grieving, we can deepen our connection to other human beings," by helping one another cope with the situation, hopefully people can learn that one another is still there for each other and the bystander effect will no longer occur.

Citations:

"Bystander | Define Bystander at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions  of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 17 Sept. 2010. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bystander.

 

Newman, By Caroline. "University Engages in Day of Dialogue | The Cavalier Daily." The Cavalier Daily: University of Virginia Student Newspaper. Web. 18 Sept. 2010. http://www.cavalierdaily.com/2010/09/27/university-engages-in-day-of-dialogue/.

 

Picture Citation:

Newman, By Caroline. "University Engages in Day of Dialogue | The Cavalier Daily." The Cavalier Daily: University of Virginia Student Newspaper. Web. 18 Sept. 2010. <http://www.cavalierdaily.com/2010/09/27/university-engages-in-day-of-dialogue/>.

Silence Is Not Always Golden

March 13, 1964, A New York City woman, Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death in her own house and the witnesses who heard her screams did nothing to call the police. Neighbors heard her cries and screaming, but yet nobody felt the need to life a finger and dial for help? A bystander is "a person present but not involved" overlooking the current event taking place before them (dictionary 1). More often I would call this, negative bystanders. Who just stands there and watches someone die or get hurt? Wouldn't we want someone to help us? In the movie, "Kick-Ass", Dave decides to go up against three guys just to save one. He'd much rather have DIED than to stand around and do nothing. But while Dave is trying to help, the seven to eight people in the background do nothing but watch. It shows a great deal of scenario of how one will stand up and make a voice, while eight will watch and remain silent. It is an eye opener how people just watch and not do a darn thing. How would a parent feel if their child was being hurt and there was bystanders present doing nothing? Questions like "why didn't they help my child?!" will pop up in the parents' heads. Unlike other topics, bystanders will always be present. More often than not, bystanders' will do nothing rather then to get involved in a situation that does not involve them. That is just how our society is nowadays. People should get more involved and take action in situations like these. We could save someone's life and be a hero. Wouldn't that be the best satisfaction out of anyone's life? To know one individual can make a difference to do the right thing rather be a silent observer. The more people who remain a negative bystander, the more our societies will deteriate.

Citation:
"Bystander: Define Bystander at dictionary.com." Dictionary.com: Find the meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 26 Sept. 2010.

Picture Citation:
"Kick-Ass." Review: Kick-Ass. Web. 26 Sep 2010. http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=31342.