What would you do?

First, 70 degrees today. Hallelujah is an understatement.

Ok, in watching a morning show today, I saw a report about a teacher being beat up, in the classroom, by a student. (High school level) Of all the kids in the classroom, only 1 went for help and the others watched, cheered on the student beating up the teacher and 1 took cellphone video and posted it online. To say I was appalled, is another huge understatement.
I know we're not in high school anymore, what would *you* do if you saw someone being hurt? Or, when you are in a group of girlfriends and someone starts 'talking smack' about another person, do you join in or do you stay out of it? And, if it's unjustified 'smack', do you stand up for the person being spoken about?
Being a healthy person means mind and body. If you stand by and 'watch' while someone is hurt or when people are talking negatively (maybe even being mean) and you do nothing-you *are* a party to that. You have to take your responsibility for it.
Just like those kids are all a party to the assault on that High School teacher-they all bear some responsibility because they did nothing. True, they are kids, but they are in High School and know right from wrong and beating up a teacher IS wrong!
I guess my point is, we are all in this together and that means that, when someone is being hurt or wronged, we all need to step up and help. Does this mean put yourself in harm's way? No. Of course you should guard your personal safety. But, there *are* ways to help.
-If you see someone being physically harmed in public, call the police immediately
-If you see someone shoplifting or stealing, get the management of the store or, again, use your cellphone to call police
-If you're sitting around with your girlfriends and one says, "Hey did you see Suzie's hair the other day, what a nightmare. She is always a mess! I can't believe her husband doesn't leave her-she's disgusting." Think about that-maybe Suzie is going through something, we've all been there, right? I mean, we all vent sometimes, but when that kind of talk gets mean, there's no reason for it. We're SUPPOSED to be adults. You don't have to like everyone but, seriously, we women have to stick together!
-If you have kids-make sure they have empathy for others. Those kids in the classroom obviously had none (except the 1 kid that went for help). Maybe use this news story to start a dialogue with your kids about 'what would you do?' in that situation.
I've actually called the police in the top two items. I witnessed a guy hitting his girlfriend/wife in the parking lot of a rest stop, in front of his kid, and got between him and her with my car (not smart) and called police on my cell. I stayed in my car, he kicked it and the cops came. Why didn't I just drive away? Because there was a child there and a woman being hit-I would have wanted her to help me, so I tried to help her.
I also pulled up to a Blockbuster (this is probably 20 years ago) late one night to drop off my movies. I pulled up right in front and left my car on as I slipped my movies in the slot. As I got back in my car I saw a man and a woman running out of the store with movies in their hands (tons of movies). They jumped in their car and sped off with the manager screaming, "Get them, they stole those!" Well, I was already in my car (and in my 20's so who needs sleep), so I tried to block their car from pulling out but couldn't, so I followed them...and got their license number and called the police. Once I had the license number and car description, I went back to the Blockbuster and told the manager I had called with the info. He was SO appreciative. Again, I could have just driven away but shoplifting causes prices to go up and nobody wants that! And, now that I have my own business, I'd want someone to do that for me!
I guess the greater point is that we can't be afraid of 'what people will think' if we get involved. Doing the right thing isn't easy-but it is the RIGHT THING. And, that 'golden rule' we learned in kindergarten still is true....
Treat others the way you'd want to be treated.
Have a great day and see you in class!