Safety vs Morality
I have this subject at uni known as 'process drama', which is an awesome subject. This week we did a drama that investigated the idea of racism, safety and morality.
It was based on a true story about a girl called Kelly Turner, who was 15 years old and lived on the East side of London, a place where there were lots of racial tensions. One night her ex-boyfriend called her and told her that he and his gang had bashed up a guy. (This guy went into a coma because of it). She didn't believe it until the police gave an appeal on tv for the public to come forward with information about the bashing. She went and gave them the information she had. Later on, she was followed, got threatening phone calls and was even bashed for what she'd done.
Anyway, it was interesting to hear the responses of everyone when we discussed what we would have done in her situation. Some people said they wouldn't have gone to the police, for fear of their own safety. Others said they would, because they'd feel guilty if they didn't.
What came across clearly were the consequences of doing the right thing - putting your own personal safety at risk. Obviously she was going to be in danger if she went and told the cops.
But what nobody really discussed was the consequences of NOT doing the right thing - of playing it safe. Okay, so let's say we're Kelly and we play it safe. We don't tell the police. The consequences?
Guilty conscience
Racism continues, and we are indirectly responsible for that.
We become hardened to the violence that goes on around us.
If we become too hardened, pretty soon we won't care who gets beaten up. We might even participate in beating someone up. So, directly or indirectly, we end up contributing to the hatred that is already growing.
Can I encourage you then, to do the right thing, even if it is difficult? Even if it is at the expense of your safety? Because it will make a difference.
Of course, people would never do such a thing (place a higher value on morality than on safety) unless they had a really good reason. I've got my reason. He didn't put his safety above my need. So I hope that when it comes to the crunch, I won't put my safety above someone else's need.
It was based on a true story about a girl called Kelly Turner, who was 15 years old and lived on the East side of London, a place where there were lots of racial tensions. One night her ex-boyfriend called her and told her that he and his gang had bashed up a guy. (This guy went into a coma because of it). She didn't believe it until the police gave an appeal on tv for the public to come forward with information about the bashing. She went and gave them the information she had. Later on, she was followed, got threatening phone calls and was even bashed for what she'd done.
Anyway, it was interesting to hear the responses of everyone when we discussed what we would have done in her situation. Some people said they wouldn't have gone to the police, for fear of their own safety. Others said they would, because they'd feel guilty if they didn't.
What came across clearly were the consequences of doing the right thing - putting your own personal safety at risk. Obviously she was going to be in danger if she went and told the cops.
But what nobody really discussed was the consequences of NOT doing the right thing - of playing it safe. Okay, so let's say we're Kelly and we play it safe. We don't tell the police. The consequences?
Guilty conscience
Racism continues, and we are indirectly responsible for that.
We become hardened to the violence that goes on around us.
If we become too hardened, pretty soon we won't care who gets beaten up. We might even participate in beating someone up. So, directly or indirectly, we end up contributing to the hatred that is already growing.
Can I encourage you then, to do the right thing, even if it is difficult? Even if it is at the expense of your safety? Because it will make a difference.
Of course, people would never do such a thing (place a higher value on morality than on safety) unless they had a really good reason. I've got my reason. He didn't put his safety above my need. So I hope that when it comes to the crunch, I won't put my safety above someone else's need.
posted by Noof @ 3/17/2005 07:59:00 pm
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