21st Century Samaritans*
I can’t stop thinking about what a crew of traveling trashmen did the weekend past in Baltimore. They showed what 21st century Samaritans look like. The weather has been dreadful; the conditions – ripe; but they showed up and stayed on the job.
Who were these men?
The news stated they came from Florida and all around to lend a hand to a city that is going under in filth, and all the other words that describe harsh urban decay. A couple of them may have saved one or two souls from overdosing.
If you look on Facebook you will find the Traveling Trashmen are experienced Samaritans. The work spoke volumes – and other volunteers have helped in the past several weeks.
The Traveling Trashmen made an impressive dent – but Baltimore, like many American cities can multiply mounds of trash and problems faster than we can shovel. It’s like we are in a unrelenting blizzard of problems generated by hopeless people.
The trashmen did a great service not just by their sweat equity but by the memory of their images – people helping people.
The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But… the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
*Image: ABC 7Chicago