Thanks for the Chicken!

I was only a child, but I remember it vividly.  In Kew Gardens, NY, the town next to where I grew up, a young woman named Kitty Genovese was murdered in cold blood while neighbors in her apartment complex ignored her screams for help.  Not only did they ignore her screams for help, but as the attacker came back two more times over a 30 minute period, some neighbors even opened their doors and watched as the attacker stabbed her over and over, as she lay dying in the doorway of the apartment building!  Thirty-eight neighbors saw the murder and not a single person called the police.

Ten years later, another young woman was beaten to death in the same apartment building.  Neighbors heard the screams and were aware of a fierce struggle, but again, not a single person called the police!

At the time it was blamed on callousness or apathy inherent in urban living.  When interviewed, the witnesses all claimed the “didn’t want to get involved”.   New Yorkers were portrayed as apathetic, uncaring and self focused people who would step over a dead body on the street, or look the other way if it doesn’t involve them. 

This is not a phenomenon unique to New Yorkers!   Public apathy is rampant!  Evidenced by the latest situation in Hartford Connecticut!!?!  An elderly man was run over by a car in front of many bystanders.  Some even went over to gawk for a closer look, but no one tried to help the man, and even worse, it was many minutes before anyone even called 911!  I understand the deranged motivation behind hit & runs, but I cannot and will not comprehend nor accept complete public apathy!

I have my theory about public apathy.  I do not have empirical studies, or any evidence to back it up.  But I truly believe we see a rise in public apathy when morale is low.  People are so shell shocked and struggling to survive, that they have nothing left for strangers.

Kitty Genovese was murdered shortly after the Kennedy assasination - Americans were still reeling from the shock of that. 
Ten years later, the young model murdered shortly after the Nixon regime - no explanation needed!  
This most recent episode is at a time of the lowest morale in history with the exception of the aftermath of 911.   (Actually, the reaction to 911 was unifying.)

I tend to be an idealist, with lofty expectations of my fellow human beings, but if we could all be a little more concerned about our fellow citizens on this planet, we might actually see the change we so desperately need!

For a persepective:

“In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.”
~ Martin Niemöller