The three of us walked along the street on a hot afternoon. We were avoiding the 70 rupees it would cost us to take two bicycle rickshaws over that stretch. Temperatures were over 100 degrees with high humidity, but it wasn't all that far to walk and we were traveling between two well-fanned homes. Still, a couple in a car pulled over next to us. "Where are you going? Would you like a lift?" We considered it, but declined.
As the couple pulled away, I looked at the other two people who had been walking right next to us. A man and woman approximately the same age as us, but clearly poorer by their clothes. Each held a baby in their arms. They were trying to use small pieces of cloth to shelter the babies from the sun. They were not offered a lift.
I know that this is not the only place in the world where wealthy-looking people are offered favors at the same time that more needy but poor-looking people are ignored. Who do we offer rides to when we are driving down the street? Who do we not even notice is there?
As the couple pulled away, I looked at the other two people who had been walking right next to us. A man and woman approximately the same age as us, but clearly poorer by their clothes. Each held a baby in their arms. They were trying to use small pieces of cloth to shelter the babies from the sun. They were not offered a lift.
I know that this is not the only place in the world where wealthy-looking people are offered favors at the same time that more needy but poor-looking people are ignored. Who do we offer rides to when we are driving down the street? Who do we not even notice is there?
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