On Being a Good Neighbor - Chapter 3, MLK

Chapter 3 discusses the definition of a “neighbor” or Samaritan in life situations based on the Luke 10:29 passage in the Bible. The story tells of a man who was beaten and left to die by a group of robbers and how he was passed over by two people (a priest and a Levite) until one man decided to help. The Samaritan expressed compassion, administered first aid to the wounded man, carried him to an inn and then took care of him. King then talks about three characteristics that the good neighbor possessed in the story that we all should have: universal altruism, dangerous altruism, and excessive altruism.

Universal Altruism is about looking at all men as equals without considering race, religion, sex, etc or any other “external accidents,” but rather seeing each fellow man as a brother. King discusses that when we don’t do this and focus only on our class or similar groups, that we are creating a group-centered attitude, which inevitability results in crimes, wars and murders. In the story, the Samaritan did not look at the wounded man features but only his pain that he was suffering. Though this type of altruism is simple, it amazes me to how this day we are still not equal. There is still hatred against races, inequality towards specific classes such as homosexuals, and still negative prejudices and stereotypes that are always present. Even with our first bi-racial president, many black still feel they are not equal to the white man. When will this competiveness and need to feel equal stop? When will we stop judging each other based on our external features? I believe the answer to this begins with the home-parents must practice and teach their children that we must see each other as equals only and encourage diversity.

Dangerous Altruism involves when you are able to recognize the risks, consciously or unconsciously, of your actions as a result of helping out another. However, instead of backing down or choosing not to be of assistance, you follow through with your initial plan and help. In essence, when faced with a dilemma, King suggests that instead of asking how this would help or affect you, that you ask what will happen if you don’t help? I think a lot of the time we get so caught up in what benefits us as a society, that we don’t consider the ultimatum if we choose not to help. This is an excellent question and for the most part, a lifestyle that I try to live by. I believe in giving to others because it is the right thing to do (which eventually resorts in good karma). Whether you are a Christian or non-religious, this belief or principal makes one question who they are, what they stand for, and what are they willing to do for others? He quotes, “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy;” this is indeed where one’s true colors are shown. In the story, MLK suggests how the priest and Levite thought about the consequences of helping, such as being beaten or being hurt from the stranger. However, the Samaritan asked himself what would happen if he didn’t help.

Excessive Altruism is about expressing sympathy/compassion not pity. Instead of asking what you can do for another, ask what can you do with them. When only focusing on pity, King discusses how our efforts to help often fail because true compassion is not shown. Often times it is easier to express pity (i.e. by writing a check), but making a real difference involves “giving of one’s soul” or giving one’s time. In the story, the Samaritan expresses personal concern by not only administering first aid, but also carrying the wounded man and then looking after him. He went above and beyond the expectations of what it means to help. Community service has always been a value and principal in my life that I try to act upon whenever I can. Recently, I participated in an Alternative Spring Break program where we not only worked with an organization to help provide services such as painting, but we worked with the community. In turn, though the community benefited from our help, we learned many lessons from them.