— by Lin McNulty —
I had not planned on writing an Editorial today, but a juxtaposition of events re-warmed my heart about my beloved island.
Earlier today I watched a video in which a man who has fallen to the ground and calls out for help is ignored as hundreds of pedestrians pass by, paying him no notice. He is dressed in worn, shabby clothing. Does that make a difference? Apparently so, as another video is filmed in the same spot using a man dressed in a business suit; it’s not long before someone stops to help him.
This event apparently takes place in France, as the men are both calling out, “aidez-moi.” I don’t take this, however, as a slap against the French, as I am certain this scene could have played out in any large city.
Now, I am sitting with my laptop in Eastsound. As I pulled into the parking lot of The Lower Tavern, I noticed a truck parked across the street. The driver was on a small ladder and madly exploring under the hood.
It wasn’t long before someone stopped to offer help, and then another man stopped. An hour later, the disabled vehicle has driven off and two passersby have gone on about their day.
Only on Orcas?
It could happen on Orcas, Lin, and did. Last year, before I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia, I was driving home from work and became extremely weak and dizzy. I pulled into the lot of a well known café and tried to call for help on my cell but had no reception at that point. The kitchen door was open and some café staff could see that I was on my knees in the parking lot. Not one of them came out to help me. I crawled to the door in the dirt and asked one of the staff for some water and help. He went back into the kitchen and after a minute or so, returned with a cup of water. He then turned around and went back inside. As I tried to stand up, another staff worker, came around the building with a tray of produce. He stepped right over me and went inside the kitchen. I managed to get back into my car and drive about 1/2 mile for cell range to call my husband. I shall never forget the inhumanity. I shall never eat at that café. It happened on Orcas.
I think you two have just pointed out that our existence here is ONLY a microcosm of the larger world, with perhaps a bit more sensitivity to happenings; and therefore we feel a bit more guilt/responsibility to look out for each other. We’d like to think it’s all squeaky-clean.
But, Lin, I do love the great feeling I get, when I realize how many people extend their time & energy to help “organizations”, which, in turn, help Islanders.
A friend of mine chain saw fell off the back of his truck on Tuesday between Orcas Center and the Post Office and a wonderful lady picked it up and brought it to Orcas Rental & Saw and it got back to it’s owner. So here is a situation that makes you feel good !
The editorial makes me feel squeamish, for many reasons. I felt this way about the editorial discussing “what does it take to be called a local.” We are all humans on this planet, trying to do our best. Sometimes folks slip up. I sure don’t relish the idea of the website turning into a forum for discussing all the various ways people can screw up, whether they are on Orcas, or in the big city. It might not be a good idea to generalize one way or another.
I agree with Tracy and Margot. That being said, my response to Ms. McNulty’s editorial merely points out that we are in fact a “microcosm of the larger world.” There are dozens of examples of kindness on Orcas which is one of the reasons I live here however to think that we are insulated or above the ugly side of human nature is naïve.
Acts of kindness happen all the time, in all kinds of places and in a variety of ways. As do moments of missed opportunity to do a kindness. It’s good to be reminded that even small acts make a difference. Thank you, Lin, for initiating a celebration and acknowledgement of the kindnesses.
Lin, you are right. This is a special island, which you and I are aware of having lived here many years. A place, and time, when earlier, people cared about one another. When ones home burned, we all donated our fir trees, the Bond Mill cut them to size, no charge, and out-of-work local carpenters built them a new house, no charge. That was (and is) thankfully, the Orcas thought process and protocol.
If one wishes to really experience the magic of living here, and being a long-time member of the community, one must find pleasurable activities and fit into our easy-going relaxed lifestyle. But also, be a contributor to our mode of life.
This island is a special paradise, thankfully away from the structured mainland, for those of us who are content with the annual freezing winter nor’easters shredding our property, but always knowing that a warm Spring will soonly come, easing us, with robins, swallows, Hummingbirds and Honeysuckle blossoms coming forth. And, as in the old days, neighbors helping neighbors.
Our special island. We are different.
Harry Patton, age 92.
As a newcomer to Orcas who appreciates the kindness of islanders, I have to post from the perspective of a Parisian resident for the last dozen years.
The facile interpretation of this video as showing differential responses to poverty or homelessness might be valid in another city, but in Paris, where this video seems to be shot, homeless people such as the subject sleep in the middle of the pavement all the time. The fact that the apparent homeless person is young, and could easily be another intoxicated young person “sleeping it off” in public ( which is commonplace in public places, including the Metro) suggests another, easily as plausible explanation.
The “experiment” lacks statistical significance thus proving nothing. It’s actually a fine example of the sloppy work achieving mass distribution in our social-media addicted modern age. Such sloppily designed work serves only as a vehicle for emotional projection, as in the case of many responses above, or as in the case of the filmmaker, justifying the class warfare endemic in France today.
It makes me wonder if other places in the world took more time to get to know their neighbors they would be more likely to stop and assist or offer help in times of need…. I’m not saying that they don’t, but it certainly helps that here in the islands many of us do know each other and take the time to acknowledge and chitchat. It’s harder to ignore a situation when you’re familiar with people!