Street rat?

Sometimes, the difference between right and wrong is in the eye of the beholder. It’s exercising the benefit of the doubt. When someone who is going hungry steals bread from the market, it is now justified behavior. (To some, Aladin became a hero; to others, he was a street rat.)

This complicates ethics—the balance between the rule of law, justice, peace, and quality of life. The fine print isn’t helpful when no one reads it. Second, third, and fourth chances don’t matter when someone lacks the knowledge or resources. Our justice is not the same as someone else’s. A person in a position of power, of advantage—can do a better job of understanding. Not be annoyed when someone is doing something we couldn’t imagine themselves doing.

Remember: you might have been taught to wait on the marshmallow, knowing a second one is coming. Someone without resources may find it very reasonable to take what’s before them.

While it may be tempting to be the bystander, police, judge, or jury—we are seduced to believe we can wear all hats at the same time—it is far more effective to wear just one. And if we have to choose one role, perhaps the best role we can be is the kind of citizen who spreads empathy. It is not near the glamor since there isn’t a title, but it is far more potent of a position to take.