Shame into Action?

Today I had an odd experience. Following a class, I headed off to the library to do some studying before my next class and realized that today was the school's bone marrow drive. On the way into the library, I was physically confronted by several of the volunteers who were trying to get people to sign up for the drive. The drive is a noble effort I believe, and I support the action whole-heartedly. The actions of the volunteers were, let's just say, offensive.

Instead of simply making a request such as, "Good morning. Could I have your attention for a few moments to explain to you the drive we are conducting today..." My companion and I were asked brutishly, "did you sign up yet?" To which I replied that we had not and were not able to at this moment. The volunteer then stated, "what's the matter with you? You don't want to save a kid's life?"

Whoa. Did I just hear that? Do I not want to save a kid's life? Really? Are you kidding me? I stopped and turned around and asked to volunteer what he had stated so smartly. This guy would not even look at me. It was as if he was no longer the shaming party but the shamed.

Of course we all want to save lives if we can. This goes without saying for most of the good-natured Americans I know. However, for any number of reasons a person may be unable to stop their activities to register or donate or give or whatever the hell the cause so requires.

Relaying the story to a confidant some time later, she informed me that she had asked the volunteers if the procedure to extract blood hurt in any way. To this she was informed, "not as much as having leukemia." Again, am I missing something here? My social ineptitude may be getting the better of me, but that just seems out of line. The funny thing is, it becomes personal at a point.

Now the question is, do you take the high-road or hold a grudge against those condescending assholes? It really is a tricky question. For the life of me, I can't imagine Jerry Lewis on stage during the telethon shaming Americans into action. I can hear it now. "Come on, asshole. Give your bucks. If you don't, some kid will die. I don't know which one. It could be this one, or this one, or this one..." That's absurd and would never happen.

I've always believed that we are all called to service of some kind. Some of us serve the country, some serve their communities, some their families, some only serve themselves, some serve their deity, and many of us serve a mixture. Try another technique than shame, you bastard. That serves no cause whatsoever except maybe childishness.

If you get the chance, have the opportunity, I say go ahead and link in above. Do what you can. That's probably the best way to make a point.