The Golden Rule

Have you ever been in a situation whereby you see someone abnormal and you somehow tend to pull back – our natural instinct?  I admit I have been guilty of this too.  I always instill in my children whilst there may be special people we come across, we should not make them feel different by treating them differently, as much as possible to treat them as we are, give them the dignity and respect that we expect from others.

I am so glad to have met a kindred spirit today.  Both of us saw something that we felt was discriminating and we simply could not let it go.

Sitting there by the pool reading a book, I was minding my own business.  Then out of the corner of my eyes, I saw flurry of activities from the children’s swimming pool.  The big gentle giant was asked to leave the children’s pool.

You see, at the club where I was relaxing, every weekend we are blessed with this innocent gentle giant who comes and play with our children.  He is a young man of 20 years old but with the mentality of a 5 – 6 year old.  He likes to play with the youngsters and sometimes not realizing his strength, he is seen to be playing rough.  The children who are familiar with him enjoyed his company, and he in turn give them piggy rides.

Today three gentlemen (who carried the titles Datuk) visited the children pool area and perhaps saw this gentle giant for the first time.  They were alarmed that this ‘retarded man’ was allowed to be in the same pool with the children and play with them.  They summoned the security guard, and instructed that the gentle giant be removed from the children’s swimming pool.  Because these men carried the titles Datuk, the security guard did not dare to tell them he is harmless.  These Datuks then summoned for the gentle giant’s younger brother (11 years old) and reprimanded him.  The poor boy was facing these three adults with his head bowed – if you were in his shoes you too would feel intimidated won’t you – a child against three adults?

All the above were done in full view of all the other parents who knew the gentle giant well.  We were all worked up but none step forward to speak up for him.  I just could not take it and thought it was getting a bit too much.  I didn’t even care if my club membership may be suspended, I just didn't like what I saw.  I then took the first step in walking towards these Datuks. On walking there, kindred spirit met me and together we confronted these men whom we had to tell off.  We told them to look across the pool and look at all the parents who were all upset with their behaviour. 

We had to enlighten them that whilst the gentle giant may be abnormal, we don’t agree that he be discriminated especially in full view of all the other children!  The message that these men were sending to the other children – that it is fine to discriminate and treat people who are different from us differently!!  Absurd!!!  One of them had the galls to inform us that he is ex-Mayor of XXX to which I simply advised that I didn’t recognize him but that does not excuse his behavior.  

My young son who is only 6 years old came to join us and told these gentlemen "Uncles, he is very nice to play with.  He is big but he is my friend." Children don't know how to discriminate against someone who is seen as 'abnormal' or 'retarded' in adults' eyes and children should not be taught to discriminate!  In the end, the gentlemen accepted our views and we walked away feeling that we have at least tried our best to educate these men. 

Confucius taught, “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”

Prophet Muhammad at The Farewell Sermon "Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you."

The Stoics promoted the principle, “What you do not want to be done to you, do not do to anyone else.”  

The Greek philosopher Epictetus said, “What you avoid suffering yourself, do not afflict on others.”