Catch-19

Just got done watching John Quinones on ABC’s “What Would You Do?”

There were two interesting segments. In both actors were playing assholes verbally abusing people. One was a Down’s Syndrome kid bagging groceries the other a same sex couple and their kids.

So, it’s a cheap manipulative show  that deliberately pulls common emotional strings to make us all look like assholes then wraps it up with a few “heroes” so we can feel all better.

But you know, it’s also a fairly interesting look at certain parts of public life in the U.S.  I’ve long said that some people really do need a punch in the nose. That the move away from a society where sometimes a physical act IS the answer is not altogether a plus. Yes, it’s mostly a good move. I like the fact that the strongest and most physically able can no longer decide to be judge and jury and then enact the penalty. It insures that everyone has the ability to speak their minds, not just those in the majority. But there are drawbacks. Like the fact that we have come to believe that our words have no consequences.

People say the most amazing things, knowing that nothing is going to happen to them. 50 years ago if you berated a kid with down’s syndrome bagging in a grocery store you might get the shit beat out of you. No, that kid wouldn’t be bagging 50 years ago. I don’t want to go back in time, I’m aware just how awful “the good old days” were.

I’d just like for people to stop and ask themselves “Is this something a lot of people would want to punch me for?” And if the answer is yes, then ask ” Is this something I need to say in that case?” And if that answer is yes, then rock on! And then, if you turn out to be an asshole anyway, I like to see a few face punches.

Is that too much to ask?

And watching the show I did wonder, what would I do in that situation. In truth I’d mostly keep my mouth shut I think. There was no threats of violence or physical harm in any way. I’m not, by nature, very confrontational. So yeah, I’d probably do nothing and later wish I’d said something. Because those people needed to be told to shut the fuck up. In a perfect world everyone in earshot would have raised their voices to drown them out and make sure the targets of abuse knew they had support. I don’t think I would have done that. Because, like most people said when interviewed, it’s not my problem and I don’t want to get involved.

I don’t know if the show does any good. But I do hope that the next time I find myself in a situation where someone nis acting like an asshole I at least think about what my reaction should be. Maybe I’ll do the right thing.