My house was robbed last night. We were all out, when my son got back home he found the back door kicked in, and found some laptops, a game system, and an acoustic guitar missing. It was worth a lot, for the people whose stuff was stolen, it was probably worth much more for those who took it. It was an obviously amateur job – they took cables but not speakers, dropped the controller of the game system in the back yard, and left lots of fingerprints and a shoe print on the door for the forensics guy. We can’t be sure they were the perpetrators, but a group of young men were reported loitering near the house some time before the robbery.
There were different responses from friends, acquaintances, and neighbors when they heard about it. Many were angry on my behalf, which I appreciated, but I didn’t feel particularly angry myself. I felt sad, that there are people who must overcome their better nature and do these things, who are in circumstances that make it necessary to take the risk that is surely involved in what they did. I got a lot of advice – about self-defense, alarm systems, someone even said “we are in a war”. It was unexpected. I was not delighted that my house was robbed, but I am glad that it was not the house of my ninety year old neighbor. I am glad that neither I, nor any of my children were home at the time of the break-in. I am glad that the cat was unharmed.
It’s normal to be angry, and feel threatened, and take unreasonable precautions after such a thing happens. But I feel I shouldn’t forget to ask why. Not why these particular people did this, but why anyone does. I just don’t think there are “evil” people out there who enjoy stealing and being criminals. There might be a few, of course – like those on Wall street. But for the most part, I have a feeling that people have to be desperate to do desperate things.
What a bummer. I’ve been in your position before and know how you feel. But I was angry, too.
Judy!!
I am glad you and yours are safe. May be the anger originates out of what could have been…
Nice blog again Urmi. Thank God that you & your beloved are safe. But the peoples who does any crime are mentally sick & never deserve any type of sympathy like one you shown here. Anyways take care. God bless you.
Prashant, thank you for your comment.
Even if I agreed with you that people who commit crimes are mentally sick, I don’t think they are born that way. Sometimes people have terrible circumstances, sometimes they are poor and desperate. And yes, sometimes they are mentally sick. And since you mention God a couple of times, I’d like to remind you that God always has sympathy, and forgiveness for all people, even if you and I don’t.
Urmi its very funny to say being poor can be reason to become a criminal. (It sounds ok in Hindi movies). I think people who like to be rich without efforts turns towards crime & more & more people keep on turning towards crime untill they gain sympathy from some intellectuals & so called human right activist (who don’t care about people who suffer because of these criminals). I agree with you that God have sympathy & forgiveness for all. But it is also true that God also always punish the guity & forgives only if he/she repents. Anyway I am eager to read your next article. wish you all the best & God bless you always for your good deeds.
sorry to hear the news and at the same time, glad that none of you were there at that time. i am on the same page (pun?) with the views you expressed, and the issue of moral responsibility is as difficult as, if not more, the issue of free will – and all we can do is to care freely (instead of an infinite debate), which can be very difficult during the times when one is personally wronged. i remember waking up to a stranger in the room trying to steal my tape recorder years ago, and i too don’t remember being angry at the burglar himself though i did experience quite a bit of indignation on the security guards and the cops etc.
I think maybe we react and feel at many different levels – we could be angry at the individuals who act against us, and yet feel sorry for those who have to resort to criminal behavior for any reason… I don’t have to make that choice between either feeling angry/violated and sympathy for such individuals. I also, to some degree, feel guilt about being better off in the distribution curve… that’s another big debate, isn’t it?
interesting that you say you don’t have to make a choice between the feelings (and are felt at various levels). though i do understand and experienced what you say, it might be my orientation towards intellect, i try to resolve it to a final this or that. an artist like you probably doesn’t need to do that, as one can express such complex feelings as a form of art (which might be the equivalent/substitute of resolution). feeling guilt about being better off.. or is it good enough to be able to appreciate that we are better off and do the necessary with that appreciative feeling [when faced with such situations] without having to feel guilt?
Finally bought your book at Delhi airport yesterday. Started reading it. Before that I also bought Nirgathi and Yugant. weird that I got books by 3 people from 3 generations in the same family
Hope you enjoy all three!
I loved the line about Wall Street–so appropriate. And BP? I guess there are two difference between poor thieves and rich ones: the former need the money; the latter elude punishment.