No Tolerance for Taking Advantage of the Vulnerable

 

Do you ever read police reports or watch real life crime stories and feel two different emotions at the same time?  I'm usually horrified, but there is another emotion that I feel and I can't quite name it.  I basically can sum it up by saying, "who would even think about doing that?"  

I am not saying that I don't condone crimes of passion, but they are a little bit more understandable.  We have all had passion in our lives and know how powerful that can be.  It is certainly not right, but you can understand a strong, in the moment, instinct to defend yourself or seek revenge.  Again, I am not saying I approve, but I am saying I understand.  

But, some of the horrible things that people do, I just can't understand how people even think of doing things like that.  Or, how, at some point, common sense doesn't kick in.  For example, I can possibly understand the passion that one feels about seeing someone they think is a neighbourhood thief fleeing and the desire to catch him.  But, after the first minute of hunting him down while in your vehicle with a shot gun, isn't there a point where you think this is a bad idea?  

Now, there are those who commit fraud.  I am equally horrified for the victims but marvel at the lengths fraudsters go to.  These SIN, border parcel scams require a great deal of commitment from the fraudsters.  Robocalling numbers over and over again.  The sad thing is that it must be worth it to them.  These scams wouldn't keep going unless they were making a profit.  

A couple of days ago, I heard of a fraud via a facebook post.  Apparently, some anti-vaxxers have found a way around the system.  They get a homeless/vulnerable person to go take the shot with their health cards.  That way, the anti-vaxxer gets a Vaccine verification card send to their address.  They can then attend events, etc as if they were vaccinated.  

Literally, who would think of doing that?  

I think of the people I know who are against the vaccination, and, frankly, I can't think of one who would even know how to find a homeless person let alone approach them with the scheme.  Again, the logistics of how they do it aren't the lead here.  This is being done.  Who would think of doing this?  Unfortunately, this is one of those things that the law hasn't anticipated.  There are no laws that cover this, and no punishment that will fit.  At best, the fraudsters will get off with a token fine.  That is just the way things go.  

Even though, there should be zero tolerance for taking advantage of the vulnerable.  I do believe that, but, I am now changing my definition of the vulnerable.  At some level, we all are vulnerable.  

We have tens of millions of Americans who are vulnerable enough to believe the misinformation and the big lie about the election results.  Believe me, I am angry at those who fall for misinformation and refuse to do what is basic decency to protect others.  But, I have to start viewing them as vulnerable to misinformation.  

Everyone is vulnerable.  Some show it with their minority or disability status.  But, everyone is vulnerable at some level.  Over the last few weeks, it has been helpful for me to think of things this way.  It makes me kinder and more compassionate.  It doesn't excuse anyone's behaviour in any way.  It just makes me have more compassion.  Compassion is really hope that two opposing views can come together, listen in good faith, and try to come to an understanding.  It might move the meter one or two points.  It is optimistic, I know, because people are rather entrenched these days, but it is always worth the effort.  

This month I was taken advantage of by my bank.  They full on made a mistake.  I caught it.  If you have ever taken on a bank, you know about David vs. Goliath.  First of all, it is impossible to get anyone to talk to you.  Then, if you can get someone to talk to you, you have to find the right person to talk to you.  My husband advised me it wasn't worth my time and effort.  He probably was right but when you are a social justice warrior, you can't let these things go.  The initial mistake put me out about $70.  I admit the money was not going to make me or break me.  That is not the point.  It was their mistake.  I am also aware of my privilege and that to some $70 is a great deal of money.  Anyway, after "fighting" which means sending a series of nasty emails, the bank called me and apologised.  I was right.  It was a victory, and then at the end of the call, the bank says, "and we have fully corrected the mistake and it will only cost you a $75 service charge."  I beg your pardon.  I tell my husband and he tells me to accept it because there are service charges for everything.  I see the bigger picture and have to start the fight all over again.  I probably won't win and I will expend a lot of time and energy, but I will continue.  

I have also found myself in another vulnerable position.  There is a man out there in the universe who is incensed by my presence.  I can't change that.  I am not worried about my physical safety because we don't share a postal code and never will.  But, he does send me messages through third parties.  They are not overtly threatening, just letting me know he is out there.  I don't know what his end game is and I admit he makes me feel vulnerable.  I guess I could say I am choosing to feel vulnerable.  Whatever, I am rattled when he finds a way to make his presence known since I have blocked him six ways from Sunday.  Last week, I was watching curling on utube and there was a chat function.  He is not a curling fan and knows literally nothing about curling but I guess he figured out that I would be watching.  He was on the chat.  He made inane comments which demonstrated he knew nothing about curling.  Other people in the chat took on the inane comments.  I didn't make a comment at all because I didn't want him to respond.  This was difficult for me because I had insightful analysis and I love curling.  So,  in actuality, he got me.  He ruined my enjoyment of watching these games.  And, there is nothing I can do.  I can't call the police and say, "some guy who lives in BC was on a curling chat".  I am just trying to point out, that in some way, we are all vulnerable and subject to someone taking advantage of us.  

How does this translate to everyday life?  Well, I think we have to go back to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. that an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere.  

When we see someone taking advantage of the vulnerable, we really need to have zero tolerance.  We need to do everything we can to protect the vulnerable.  We need to understand that if we don't, one day we could be the one that is vulnerable.  

Peace out.