Your Charitable Act Becomes Selfish The Moment You Start Recording It
Put your camera away.
It's always good to share.
As children, we're taught to share whatever we have with others. When we have a toy that another child likes, we're told to let them have a turn with it since it's the nice thing to do. As we get older, that idea of sharing turns into charity for the less fortunate. Everything from television commercials to organized religion tells us to give to those who are less fortunate. When we give to others, it's seen as a selfless act since we're giving up something of ours and giving it to someone who needs it more.
This, of course, is a wonderful thing. It shows us that even with all the suffering going on in the world there is still a glimmer of hope. It shows us that people still care about each other and want each other to do well in life. However, sometimes charity work can be used as a way to boost one's ego or to get attention, usually through a viral video by a famous Youtube vlogger or some other notable person.
While it seems like it's done in earnest, it can also seem like the person giving the charity is just doing it for views or likes. It becomes an act to boost one's ego rather than to help someone in need. It turns the homeless and/or disabled person's situation into a spectacle rather than something to be completely horrified by. We should be angry about the treatment that these people receive, not "oohing" and "ahhing" over the selfless act that the videographer had just performed.
A video should be created in order to draw attention to the plight of the homeless populace in this country, not to make a spectacle out of them. It is so important to show compassion to people but not in a way that is used to boost one's ego. I understand that doing charitable things for others does make us feel good, but it's important that we don't record ourselves doing those good deeds (I also completely understand if it's a school-related volunteer event as well).
Next time you feel like doing something nice for someone less fortunate, put the phone away and just be in the moment. Do your deed and move on. Don't make yourself seem like a martyr for the people, just be a decent human being. Not everyone likes having a phone shoved in their face just for the views.
Please, just be a decent human being.
