Society’s social weaklings?

BY KLAUS DORING

REFUSAL and compassion characterize society’s attitude as regards social weaklings and handicapped people. It’s a topic which one gladly drives out, represses or tries to forget. I have written about this topic many times, although I have missed more about it.

Even in different groups, some segments of society are distant from them. The socially discriminated and handicapped people don’t correspond to performance, work, capacity, stress and competition in our daily surroundings. Opinions like these – well, that’s how people do it!

The anti-social slum inhabitant has not accepted his responsibility, and the anti-social confidence trickster, certainly not blind and without having difficulty in walking, doesn’t believe in us. That’s it! Finished!

The “bobo”, the alcoholic, the without means “gentleman of the road” – so what! Did everybody not choose his own living conditions? In plain words: the ideals of success, ability, efficiency, and competitiveness in our performance-oriented society and its business life describe such fringe groups as “standard violators”, such as in failure, flop or slacker. But remember: tax evasion or corruption is more costly than a social welfare client.

Do you have a social weakness or handicapped people in your surroundings – in your company? Mostly, these persons appear as a monotonous mass through the glasses of prejudices. How painful!

Honestly, but true: hindrance and handicap drive people into poverty many times. Prevailing opinion is that poverty is going for a fault. The affected people draw back themselves with a sensible sense of shame. And, have you given notice already: most handicapped people feel isolated in their surroundings. Meeting such people sometimes becomes even a bashful situation, while giving the appearance of normality. In my opinion: this must not happen!

Sometimes we try to avoid any communication, because we might say something wrong. Then – just put a smile on your face, as I often did. I really plead for more integration. Let’s give “such people” autonomy and acceptance starting in school or kindergarten. Let’s increase more livable offers for organizations. Social weaklings and handicapped people don’t hinder, hamper or prevent us from living in a society with a philanthropist face. We are all human beings.

Here’s my theory: Everyone wakes up in a good mood. It’s people and society that changes it.

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