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A certain trend has bothered me for quite some time now. The more I see it, the more I want to say what I'm thinking, and I have a lot to say about it.
The "kindness" trend where people film themselves helping homless people, documenting their reactions and trying to make themselves look good - Is kind of a dick move. And if you care to know, here's why I feel that way:
In the videos, the homeless/needy person is essentially being bombarded with what (in my eyes) seems like backhanded kindness...
I'm pretty sure people don't want to be photographed or filmed when they're in (quite possibly/most likely) the lowest position they've ever been in their lives. I don't believe that people of any status are more or less than anyone of another. But think of how you would feel If you had nothing, and no way of getting out of the rut you were in and felt helpless/hopeless. Do you think you would want someone to document that part of your life for the world to see? And in addition to that, there would be this viral video of you at your lowest - which is how everyone would recognize you from then on. After you lost everything, or before you were able to get it back. All they get to see is your failure. They won't your success because it's not suiting the person "helping" you.
(Sign: "I used to be someone")
I'm not telling you to take pity on them; they don't want your pity. I'm asking you to try and put yourselves in THEIR shoes for once instead of just putting them in yours. & Stop doccumenting your kindness at the expense of someone's dignity. If you are in a position in which you have the means to give, then by all means - give. But try to do it in a way that isn't forceful, and doesn't make them feel like a lowley peasant being given the crumbs of the kings dinner, ya know?
You should absolutely, ALWAYS encourage kindness. Write about what you did or make a video without showing the person, or at least blur out their faces unless they ask to be shown. Because even if You ask them "can I post this online" - Keep in mind, you just did them a solid. Even if it was also for veiws, likes and followers. They appreciate it. They're going to want to do something for you & they'll say "sure" because they have nothing to give.
You don't NEED to have proof of your good deeds. I'm not saying that these are horrible people who aren't thoughtful & have no heart. What I'm saying is that kindness is meant to be selfLESS. & Kindness isn't kindness if you have ulterior motives.
In this case and in my opinion, the "good samaritan" is taking MUCH more from the good deed than a "good feeling", and MUCH more than the person they've helped. The good Samaritan walks away with more likes and followers. With that comes more funding for videos and with that comes more applause and praise.
The homeless person however, gets to walk away with a jacket or a pair of shoes and while they're grateful for them they're also probably walking away with a little less pride than they had before. All because, now, there is video evidence of them at their lowest, believing that someone actually gave a damn for no reason when in reality, they did it for the views and finally, this person gets to walk away with the shame of being pitied and looked down on by the world.
"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others, remains and is immortal"
-Albert Pike
I would love for everyone who reads this, to comment and let me know how you feel about these videos. Sorry for not including many pictures & not linking any videos. I just didn't want to put anyone in particular on blast, just in case they really did mean well. But I think it's safe to say that we've all encountered videos like this at one time or another! SO, let me know what your take is on this.
Do these videos strike you as: genuine, greedy, or both? Is kindness REALLY free?