The Impact of Horizons

Arrested Development. The band, not the TV show.

In 1992-1993, there was a microcosm of socially conscious hip hop that made it onto radio. One of the artists was called Arrested Development, and they had a song called Mr. Wendal. I have listed the music video below:

As you heard, the song talks about an unhoused person named Mr. Wendal.

“He gives me some knowledge, I buy him some shoes.”

We all have a Mr. Wendal. Some of us may have to think hard, but he or she is there. In our orbit.

Within our horizon.

Sometimes, we go a long time without seeing them, but they know us, and we know them. They may have the inability to rise up above their circumstances. Some judge them. Maybe they got dealt a very bad hand somewhere in their past that they are trying to overcome. Maybe they are here illegally, selling corner citrus.

But our Mr. Wendal, no matter who they are - is not within the horizon of most people. Out of sight, out of mind. He may be in your horizon, but not others, unless something happens to him.

The Importance of acknowledging Horizons

Let’s say a random unhoused person gets hit by a car in a busy downtown area, chockful of pedestrians. You don’t see the actual impact, but you see him laying on the ground, and you see the car take off like a bat out of hell. A crowd of people gathers and half are already calling the authorities to get some help. Someone with knowledge of first aid starts rendering it, and all of the sudden, complete strangers are united in a mission to assist this person. Some are bowing their heads in direct communication with their almighty, some are kneeling.

All of this happened in front of you, and in front of them. And everyone is moved to do something to help.

Obviously, this happened within your horizon. You were right there. So was everyone else.

Now let’s say that this person that got hit by a car, it’s determined that they don’t speak English, and they are not even a citizen or have any legal status to be here.

There would be some people in the crowd just by sheer likelihood that may have voted to have this person forcefully removed from the country. But in the commotion and the energy of the crowd trying to help, do those thoughts of checking the injured’s status come into play? Probably not. Do we just let that person die? Very unlikely.

If this happened outside of someone’s horizon, it would be more possible to issue the “that’s what they get for being here illegally” response. But why do we as humans jump in to help complete strangers?

It happens all the time. From a baby getting stuck in a well, to a senior citizen losing their balance and simply falling out in public. We as humans are all programmed to help.

One day, we may be called upon by our instincts to help someone we have an oil and water agreement with. Maybe someone with a swastika tattoo is all of the sudden in a burning vehicle and you’re the only one that can help? Maybe you’re at a sporting event between two heated rivals, and you see someone in the crowd go down with chest pains, and they’re wearing the colors of the team who isn’t yours.

There’s a lot to unpack there. Between rationale, and human instinct. What is within your horizon and what is not.

But yet, a lot of people vote to infringe on those who are not within the horizons of of others. But yet, they will spring into action should they see someone in need directly in front of their eyes.

The gratitude tie-in?

What connections would we forge if we treat all people as if they are within our horizons? Where no matter if they are out of sight, out of mind, our actions are such that they won’t take anything away from them. Yeah, we most likely will spring into action for strangers, but what causes our benevolence to end with emergencies, and not continue?

I’m going out on a limb here, I’ll say that our cup will runneth over with a dam break worth of gratitude. How would your Mr. Wendel react knowing you help others like him, without judging them for their shortcomings? What would Mr. Wendel’s opinion of you mean to you?