What's really nasty

'Homeless Jesus'   (Photo by Mariodo)

After spending some grim time in a homeless shelter, Anthony Torres wanted to clean up a bit before reaching his brother’s home in New Jersey.  This entailed shaving on the commuter train, then tossing the residue onto the floor.

Spanking-clean passengers were grossly offended.  Some decided to videotape the “event” and publicize it on the internet.  Then the bullying really began.  Comments such as “slob,” “animal” and “nasty” came through.

What’s really nasty is judging a person without knowing their backstory.  Throwing bits of beard onto a public walkway can indeed be less than palatable. However, what choices did Torres have?  Were there safe options over at the shelter, or would he have been assaulted with his own razor?

How might these internet bullies have fared if they had walked a mile in Torres’ tattered shoes? Would they still be standing?  Would they retain the incentive to “look presentable” as Torres has?  Would they, too, have survived two strokes within two years?

It’s tough enough to endure the ridicule of nearby bullies without also having to endure viral replays of our most vulnerable moments.  It’s way too easy to forget that we are all just one calamity away from homelessness.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/man-caught-shaving-on-train-in-viral-video-says-dont-judge/ar-BBNtBmo?OCID=ansmsnnews11

Copyright September 18, 2018 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved