One of the things the coronavirus lockdown has taught us is recognizing our own privilege. Not everyone has savings, a roof over their heads, or a stable income. Which is why we should refrain from haggling with vegetable vendors for Rs.15 and cutting our house help’s salary when they take leave.
US-based writer Vinay found himself in a similar situation when he found a delivery man’s wallet that was accidentally left behind. When his privileged friends suggested keeping the cash, he stood up to them and did the right thing.
Last night I found a delivery man’s wallet. It had his Mexican consulate ID and was filled with nearly $300 cash. I insisted we return it but my friends’ suggested we pocket the money because “that’s just how the way the world works”. That notion made me sick to my stomach.
— vinay umapathy (@mumblecomic) July 5, 2020
The group got into an argument but Vinay stuck to his ground.
One homie even kicked the wallet to be funny. You DON’T do that- especially to money. After harassing me to give them some cash (even though I found it), I snapped and mentioned how they’re an NYU grad with a family Ferrari but they‘re still begging for an immigrant’s money.
— vinay umapathy (@mumblecomic) July 5, 2020
Specifically I said “your dad drives a Ferrari and you’re out here begging me for a delivery man’s money.” Boy, did all hell break loose after I said that. Apparently I came at his dads neck and insulted his family name. Maybe I did and I DO regret this…But hey? SHLURP ME OFF🤗
— vinay umapathy (@mumblecomic) July 5, 2020
Stop going out your way to be chaotic and make other lives harder, especially if you come from a position of vast (education + monetary) privilege. $300 may not seem like a lot to you but to a majority of world, let alone a delivery man that’s an immense amount of cash.
— vinay umapathy (@mumblecomic) July 5, 2020
People die for that kind of money. More importantly, someone labored for that money. A non-hypothetical immigrant man whose entire livelihood dropped on the road worked his ass off for that money. No amount of “that’s just how the way the world works” justifies not returning it.
— vinay umapathy (@mumblecomic) July 5, 2020
I’m not saying I’m tougher, smarter, or better than anyone. But sometimes you’re put in situations where the right thing to do is sooo obvious. I didn’t mean to roast my friend’s dad. But I was being berated by my own guys for wanting to return a deliveryman’s work earnings.
— vinay umapathy (@mumblecomic) July 5, 2020
Eventually, he used the ID card to contact the man who lost his wallet and returned it to him with all the cash inside. Furthermore, he urged everyone to not let anyone shame them for refusing to cross a line or being ethical.
I guess the point of all this is: stand your moral highground. Especially when you know something is inherently right or wrong. And don’t allow yourself to be shamed for conscious decisions. It’s also important to understand when you yourself cross a line- which I guess I did.
— vinay umapathy (@mumblecomic) July 5, 2020
Anyways, I found out where the delivery guy works and am going to return the wallet with the entirety of it’s contents untouched later today.
— vinay umapathy (@mumblecomic) July 5, 2020
the deed is done and wallet returned! pic.twitter.com/jrL8mIPx0x
— vinay umapathy (@mumblecomic) July 5, 2020
As Albus Dumbledore rightly said, “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”