Analysis Of The Bystander Effect Based On The Story Of Catherine “Kitty” Genovese

The story about Kitty Genovese was a sad, unfortunate, preventable event and far too many other people go through the same situations, occurring on daily basis, leaving behind the same result. Law enforcement all ways reminds the citizens of any society to speak up and come forth with helpful information of any form of crime. A famous quote is often mentioned and that is “If you see something, say something.” In regard to Kitty Genovese case, a neighbor did see what was taking place and did mention to the criminal to leave her alone but that was not enough. The young women had already been stabbed and was suffering from her injuries and the criminal came back to cause more harm that resulted in the young women’s death. But no one else, that was outside that evening, walking by and passing through in their vehicles, stopped to intervene when she was crying out for help. I believe people don’t get involved to offer their assistance willingly is because, they too don’t want to fall victim of the hands of the criminal. I think the people that don’t act, feel if this situation does not have anything to do with me, then I need to mind my own business and keep it moving.

I found myself in a situation back in high school, where I felt it was my obligation to get involved. One of my female peers and eventually someone who became a friend of mines was in a fight with one other girl. I heard the commotion but was too far to see what was taking place, everyone was standing around and cheering for the fight to take escalate. While I was still trying to proceed forward to see what was happening the fight erupted. One of the girls, had 4 of her other female friend’s jump in. At this point it was five people against one. No one stepped in to help. I had finally got close enough to see who it was and stop it. At the time I was not only 6’1”, 310 lbs. but also, a star football player, baseball player, and an indoor/outdoor track and field athlete. I was considered to be, one of those popular kids at school that everyone knew and respected and got along with. I wasn’t one of the knuckle heads in the school that was to cool to learn. Yes, I had gotten their and started throwing the girls around to get them to back off this one girl, but I was too late. During the altercation of the fighting the one girl that I became friends with had her face sliced open. No one had sought after any school personnel for help. She was a pretty, gorgeous girl, inside and out. The girl that started the fight with her didn’t like her because everyone thought she was beautiful and cool to be around and the boyfriend of the girl who started the fight thought so as well. A senseless act of jealousy.

I have done some research on some other horrendous moments of the Bystander Effect and have come across to case of Kevin Carter. Kevin Carter was a photographer who had taken a photograph of a very malnourished young South African little girl. The young girl appeared to be extremely fatigued and dehydrated. Within that photo of the young girl, was also a vulture lurking. Vultures are known for feeding on the remains of dead animals. The young girl at the time was not dead but wasn’t far from it. The photographer Kevin had one goal in mind and that was to wait to see the vulture’s response to the little girl’s body language. Once Kevin got his photo, he left behind a human being that was clearly in need of medical attention, food, and adult supervision. And he did not provide that. This was a perfect example of the Bystander Effect, seeing something that is clearly wrong and doing nothing to be of assistance. When Kevin was asked why he didn’t do more to even provide the bare necessities for the child in his words he stated, “didn’t want to get involved.” The photo was highly recognized, and Kevin won the Pulitzer for it. But the accomplishment was not long lived because it has been reported that Kevin committed suicide from the guilt of not helping that day.

References

• Frater, Jamie. 10 Notorious Cases of the Bystander Effect. Humans. https://listverse.com/2009/11/02/10-notorious-cases-of-the-bystander-effect/. June 16, 2014