We watched a man get tackled in a grocery store after trying to steal a basket of food, and in the quiet moment when we locked eyes we saw not just the act, but his hunger, thin frame and human will to live. Hearing the judgements while receiving a photo of reusable bags collected for our good deeds project made it clear that these are not just bags but love and compassion in action, reminding us that real change comes from understanding why people are hungry and choosing to respond with community care instead of only blame.
Today I was in the grocery store and heard BANG CRASH and then a sound of a human struggle. I went over to the door and saw a man who had been tackled and without fighting, he stayed on the ground. I noticed there was a basket full of food on the ground and he had tried to steal it. I stood there and he looked over at me. We locked eyes for a moment and I saw his humanity. I noticed he was very skinny and looked half starved. He was asked to leave and he did so without question.
When he left, I heard many things. A lot of judgements. I noticed something too. His humanness. His hunger. His human will to live.
I do not believe in stealing. It’s wrong. I have compassion for him while also knowing theft is wrong. Compassion doesn’t excuse anything, but what it can do, is create more desirable outcomes for all involved. We need to start with understanding and compassion to build a world where people thrive, are seen and valued and that is safe for us all.
What I know, is that I have yet to meet someone who wants to be in a position where they can’t buy groceries. I know there are food banks but I also know each area has different struggles and maybe there’s more to this story. Instead of only focusing on right or wrong, it may be helpful to focus on why too. Because there are systemic issues at play and it’s also not right that people have to be hungry. From there we can focus our attention on helping. The reality is, if someone is truly starving any human will do what they have to, to live. It’s unproductive to point fingers only at people and not the system. Stealing is wrong. But I have compassion.
I then looked at a photo I was sent. Someone had hosted a zumba class and sent me a photo of reusable bags that they have been collecting for me to pack food in for people who need it most for my good deeds project. It became clear those aren’t just bags in the photo. They’re love, compassion, belonging, survival, being seen and an effort by loving community members to help make the world a better place.
“Positive change stems from love and compassion.”