Bystander Analysis

Bystanders; they are all over the place. Some do not even realize that they are actually bystanders, and just think they are doing the other person a favor by minding their own business. Others are afraid of the outcome of speaking up. The stories, “38 Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police,”“Little Things are Big” and “On Compassion” examines instances of the bystander effect and gives the audience a representation of how and why witnesses decide to intervene of remain ignorant in crisis situations. People tend to not help other because they do not want to get involved, some may be afraid, or they do not have compassion or lack empathy toward the the situation or victims. Martin Gansberg was a reporter for the New York Times. He investigated and wrote an article called “Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn’t Call the Police”, about the murder case where Kitty Genovese was stalked and stabbed three times, while 38 people watched. In the article Gansberg uses a very sarcastic tone. He sarcastically calls the bystanders “good people” , …show more content…
He claimed he was afraid of how the woman receive the offer. Colon then wrote an essay called “Little Things Are Big”, about him leaving the train station and stumbles upon a woman in need but is scared to ask her for help considering he is black. “I remember thinking; I am a negro and a Puerto Rican...would she think I was trying to get too familiar.” (Colon). He was afraid to ask since he is black, he thought he would be bothering the woman. He then makes a promise to himself if he is ever faced with a moment like that again he will help regardless on how the other person will receive it. “If I am ever faced with an occasion like that again, I am going to offer my help regardless of how the offer is going to be received.” (Colon). He felt terrible for not helping the woman. Which is why he made that promise. He was afraid to help which is why he became a