Guilt and Justice

Little girl asking for food/money
Originally uploaded by d e b

I was reading an article in Leadership Journal titled "Why We Do Justice" (It's not because we feel guilty) and I couldn't help wonder if people even feel guilty anymore? Are people motivated by guilt?

I should know something about guilt - it is a common tactic used by Asian families to get their kids to do something. Something about saving face. But the reality is that guilt creates a false sense of obedience to authority or command that usually results in rebellion. This is especially true of this current young generation where authority, loyalty and obedience takes on a whole different face (a lot can be said about this, but that is another post somewhere else).

However, the reality is that most people don't even feel guilty when injustice is thrust into their face. "We see unfairness and injustice, and we know what we don't do. So we feel guilty." the author writes. I don't think society reacts by guilt anymore.

I am in a case in point. I used to feel guilty when I pass by the homeless on the streets and they ask for money and I said no, fearing that they would use the money to help feed an addiction or worse and then chastising myself thinking such judgemental thoughts. But guilt soon led to callousness as I just said no to their request or not even respond when approached.

This callousness I soon saw in most of the people who face injustice and poverty every day. I saw this in India. I see it here in Canada. How are we to respond? If not guilt, what is the proper way so that I don't just feel something but act and do something?

More as I process this...