Never Kick Someone When They're Down

Today, I was planning to write about something else, but after reading something online I decided to save that topic for another day. It was a tweet from someone that I do not know that struck a nerve. The tweet said “One day ya'll are calling #LamarOdom a "crackhead", the next you're "praying for him". Learn to care when something isn't trending”. This statement struck a nerve because we can truly be some cruel people. There are so many viral videos that hurt people and cause more harm to their current situation. We, including “myself”, find humor in other people’s issues and downfalls. While we may not do it intentionally or outright, we are finding humor when we jump on the bandwagon of trending topics. 

For example, when we see someone lashing out and compromises themselves, we place these funny meme’s on them or follow-up with some type of judgment or harsh comment. We don’t stop to think about the real issue. Yes, that person is lashing out, and may be making a complete fool of themselves. They may be responsible for their downfall. You may even think that person had it easy, and made a stupid choice. All of these things does not make it okay to criticize the person during their downfall.

 I know all of us have heard the saying, “NEVER KICK A MAN WHILE HE IS DOWN”. Well, guess what? We do this all of the time.  When a person is in their toughest situations, somehow we lose compassion. We forget that the person is human. We forget that we are human and will go through some things. While I know that I have done this, I hate that we as people find humor or gratification in the downfall in someone else. Not to sound self-righteous, but we need to start uplifting each other more. We need to start recognizing when there is a problem with others, and reach out and help instead of participating in their demise. 

                                               

It is so hypocritical, just as the guy from twitter stated, to find humor in the demise of someone, but as soon as you see that it is may cost them their life, you want to show compassion. Instead of following the trend, show compassion from the start. Show that you care from the start. It brings me back to the young girls whose photo circulated around the internet with cruel meme’s. As soon as her mother came forward and told viewers how her daughter had suffered grave medical conditions, everyone wanted to be apologetic and show the little girl compassion. Why not show compassion from the start? Do you really have to know what someone is going through to show compassion? Do you have to see the person near death to show compassion? I hope you answered no. 

I firmly believe compassion and caring can save a life. I don’t mean to lecture or come off as if I have it all together, but this really stuck with me this morning. I think we (me and anybody reading) should come together and pledge “that we will learn to show compassion and empathy”. Instead of taking part in the demise of others, uplift. Don’t get caught in joining the trends that are humorous at the cost of others. JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON OF COMPASSION.