Are you a bad person just because you are poor and illiterate ?

@tutul0045 (2630)
India
March 8, 2010 6:04am CST
Hey friends, An old lady who is a professor in a university has lodged a complaint against her neighbors. According to her she is scared of her neighbors as they are truck drivers by profession and are UNEDUCATED !!! These people are actually a group of bachelors who are working hard to earn their daily bread and as they are truck drivers I believe may return home at very odd hours in the night. But that doesn't make them dangerous or a threat to society. They pay their rent on time and behave just like all of us in the society. No one else has any problems with them. Now the old lady wants the committee to throw these poor guys out and bring new people in. To my surprise many are supporting her considering she is old and also a teacher. Iam in dilemma as the lady is a good friend of my mother but I find it absolutely wrong the reasons she stated for removing those guys. So tell me friends what would you do if u get into a situation like this? Cheers, Tutul
11 people like this
46 responses
@derek_a (10873)
9 Mar 10
No, just because a person has not had an education and doesn't have money does not mean that he/she is bad. Some of the greatest teachers from history owned nothing and were not educated. If a person is honest, friendly and helps others but is poor and uneducated, he/she is much better than an educated thief, liar or murderer.. _Derek
2 people like this
• Bangladesh
7 Apr 10
Hey Tutul, Are you a Muslim? Please don't mind at my question if you're not. I think the Professor woman is overnice by her nature and that's why she's acting like that. The good manner of person doesn't depend on only his/her poverty and illiteracy, the quality of learning he/she's received from parents or the environment/surrounding. Sometimes we see that a person is educated enough but he/she's got a rough manner and behaviour. Doesn't it prove that it's not about the poverty or illiteracy? We generally assume that only institutional education is enough for good manner which isn't true at all. Whatever the woman is doing isn't right and I don't support her whoever she's by profession and not acceptable. If I were in in this case, I would have shift the woman instead to some other place. Have a nice day.
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
7 Apr 10
Hi, No iam not a muslim and I wonder y u asked this question to me. Actually iam not in support of this lady at all and i have written that in my post. I dont like injustice and I will never tolerate it. Good thing though is that this case is still in pending and nothing has been decided yet. But thanks for your inputs. Cheers, Tutul
2 people like this
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
10 Apr 10
Hey u, No iam not hurt. Just curious. Iam Hindu and proud of it and iam really surprised that Tutul name is used by muslims in your country. Kudos for helping the poor and helpless. Keep the good work going. Cheers, Tutul
2 people like this
• Bangladesh
8 Apr 10
Hey Tutul, Please forgive me if I've hurt you by asking about your religion. I asked you the question because of your name. The name 'Tutul' is used by the Muslims in our country. That's why I wanted to be sure. I'm glad that no injustice has been delivered yet. Thanks a lot for your support to the poor and helpless. Have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@Sir_bobby88 (8231)
• Singapore
8 Mar 10
You mean if you are a cunning business man who got an degree , means you are a good person ? i doubt so yea .
1 person likes this
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
8 Mar 10
Hey, Well it seems that many people in the society thinks and behaves in those lines. It's sad but it's true. Cheers, Tutul
• India
9 Mar 10
As long as they do not create problem to the neighbors or to the society they are all good people. The poor and illiterate people give more help and concern to the neighbors than the rich and educated. They earn honestly by doing a work.I will ask them to vacate as they are like any other neighbors.
1 person likes this
• India
9 Mar 10
Kindly replace the sentence" I will not ask them to vacate as they are like any other neighbors."
@udayrao2 (781)
• India
8 Mar 10
You are right. No, being bad has nothing to do with money or education, it is the background culture, upbringing by family, social environment/surrounding etc There are many people who are rich & highly educated and still bad and crooks or criminal minded and anti-social, and the reverse too; so one cannot generalise.
1 person likes this
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
8 Mar 10
Hey, Absolutely people who are rich and educated commit crime as well. And thats definitely not the criteria to differentiate people. But the thing to note here is the mindset of people. Even today people have such low IQ level which is amazing and also shows that how tough it is to be in this mean world if you are poor. Anyways thanks for responding. Cheers, Tutul
@caiye786 (95)
• China
16 Apr 10
It's always the poor give more ,because they are kind-hearted ,the rich are more greedy and cruel .if you look down who is poorer and more illiterate than you ,you are also unintelligible . The illiterate may result from poor .it's helpless to who is bore in poor family but want to gain education .With high diploma ,you should help them ,rather than scare of them
1 person likes this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
9 Mar 10
I don't think that education or being poor and illiterate has anything to do with being a bad person. I think that this is pure classism. I would only consider her complaint only if she is saying that these bachelors are a cause of inconvenience to her. They disrupt her sleep by parking heavy vehicles and making lots of noise at odd hours of the night. Yes this would be a case that needs to be taken in consideration. However if this is not the case I dont think she has a case at all.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
9 Mar 10
It sounds to me like they should be checking her for Alzheimers and many other diseases including paranoia. As people age, the reasoning in their brains can go downhill. Even teachers, esp. if they haven't taught in a while. Even some who are still teaching. Besides professors and regular teachers are two different groups. Profs seldom operate in the real world and it tends to be a real strain for them, esp. since many are geniuses. Reg. teachers operate in the real world all the time and are much more comfortable there. While reg teachers have a little higher than regular IQs, they aren't way up there. Most profs can't even talk to regular people. Some have trouble getting through to or talking to people who are only a little higher in IQ than average. So Profs tend to find most of us stressfull to deal with. I'm a regular teacher. Plus I'm a Special Reading Teacher. I'm borderline genius for reading, but I actually have a disability for some things. So, I personally, range from very low functioning to very high. My brother has a 60 IQ. He can be very taxing for me. I used to date a truck driver. He had skills and abilities I didn't have and I had skills and abilities he didn't have. Since my eye-to-hand co-ordination skills are low, but my reading ability is high, I've often dated people with the oposite abilities to mine. My husband works as an assembler. He assembles things. But, unlike the others, he uses a blue print (which means nothing to me) and written instructions. My husband also reads novels in the evening and we can discuss many things that I couldn't discuss with the others. Maybe the Elderly Lady Professor needs to be reminded of the following: We all have gifts and talents. We all have things we aren't good at. People like her neighbors fix her plumbing, roof, car, etc. Without people willing to drive many miles to bring us food, there could be no Universities because there could be no cities because where would the large amount of food come from for both the U and the cities if it weren't for truckers. Also her TV set got there by a trucker, her stove, hot water heater, couch, everything she owns. I think someone should take everything out of her house that was brought by a trucker. She would be standing on a vacant lot. Even the wood and the materials to paint the walls and the dry wall are brought into most places by the truckers including plumbing, everything. We have a saying here, "No Farms, No Food." That's for the people who move next door and complain about the smell. Or the ones that don't want farmers around. Maybe we should also have one, "No Truckers, No Anything." Maybe the next time she needs something, they should make her drive to the factory or the farm to get it. I don't think she's ever come close to walking a mile in their shoes. Even doing that isn't handling an 18-wheeler. Running one of those babies takes quite the talent. One of my kid brothers is certified to run about 3 kinds of trucks including an 18 wheeler. He's also great at bull-dozers and worked with a hazmat team. His IQ probably registers at 80 to 90, he reads around 2nd or 3rd grade (not unusual for hearing impaired/LD from birth), but that's because the tests are mostly academic and based on being able to hear all your life. He's been hearing impaired and learning disabled all his life. People come from miles around to have him rebuild stuff. In his own way, the way he makes art and repairs stuff, many people think he's a genius. You should see the stuff he's put together. Some from other people's imaginations. Many truckers are very noble. Many are even gallant. Some have helped me in times of distress. One put all new hoses in my car for me. He couldn't believe I could run a car with every hose leaking. Not to say there aren't bad truckers, some are bad or evil. But unless they're robbing, raping, or killing people, she really needs to leave them alone. Most people don't like what they don't understand. Maybe someone should teach the good professor some understanding.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Apr 10
tutu0045 how old as in 70 or 40? ONe does not have to be old to be a lady professor and besides us elderly people are usually much softer hearted than a snobbish University Professor of the aged 40 years, most young people think any one over thirty is old . NO your lady professor is a rude snob and its sad that she would get others to support her. Being truck drivers does not make them bad if they are well behaved and have never been in trouble. Also I question illiterate as here in the US most truck drivers are well educated not a bit illiterate at all. So this elderly, lady professor is indeed a snob and a hard hearted one at that.Why does she have any clout there? Of course thats a bit sticky if she is a friend of your mom's. you must walk softly but I still would stick up for the truck drivers. Ihave never seen illiterate truck drivers, as they must have some education to be able to do their work well. You do not need a college degree to be literate. I would ask my mom if I were you what she herself thinks of this thing about the poor truck drivers? I would also face up to madame Professor and tell her those men are honest hard working men who pay their rent and are not hurting anyone, and she is a snob and a bigot too.
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
24 Apr 10
Hey U, Well the professor is indeed around 70 and she commands respect from most of us. She is PH.d in physics and she writes her own books in it. A very highly educated lady and maybe thats where the problem lies. Sometimes i get a feeling that she thinks she is far more superior than the rest and thus it shows in her behavior. And as i mentioned she is a friend of my mother so it was tough for me to act. But i did and the good thing is the case is till pending. They are still neighbors Cheers, Tutul
1 person likes this
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
24 Apr 10
Well i forgot to act here in India u can get a driving license even if u cant read an alphabet. Here things a re slightly different and also i know one thing that truck drivers are heavy drinkers. Iam not sure but there this habbit of drinking is one reason why she is scared of them. Cheers, Tutul
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Apr 10
hi tutul oh that is a big problem,if they drink I know that would bother me too but yet if they were good tenants it should not be a worry, at her age like at mine of 83 we tend to worry when we are around drunks but I do not really look down on them just wish they would not drink so much they are out of control.Wow she is really a most learned woman. Physics is a tough subject as my son told me, He took it three times before he finally passed the course and he was and is a very intelligent man IQway above average, was a gifted child all the way through school. I do realize that our cultures are different Tutul but I still think its great I can talk to you here and you to me.
• Philippines
9 Mar 10
Whoa, that is totally wrong! Considering that she is a teacher, she of all people should have an open mind. I guess the world today no longer recognizes a day's hard work. I believe it used to be the idea in the old times. Does work have to be in an office? Does it have to be a white collar job? And if a person is not working there, he should not belong to society? Man, what a ridiculous thought. Those truck drivers are human too. And as you mentioned, they behave like all of us...trying to get through life day by day on our own ways. It's not most people's fault that they did not get education because they are poor. But at least, they are trying their best with their work. I respect all kinds of work, whether it is a profession or a skilled-job. If I am one of the truck drivers in that situation, I am not going to let anyone discriminate me because of my work and limited educational attainment. If I am one of the neighbors, I will not support that idea. If I could, I would help those truck drivers. If I am in your position, I think I wouldn't support the old lady as I will act with my own principles. What she thinks about them is totally absurd an irrational.
1 person likes this
• Puerto Rico
9 Mar 10
Been poor and/or uneducated does not meke you a bad person, is your actions that make you been persived as good or bad. If those guys are behaving normally, then the old lady is the one with the problem. I believe she needs someboy to give her a good talk about discrimination, and love and understanding. What if the neighbors started shunning her for being so selfish? Bet she would not like it. Your mother could help her, those guys could be of a lot of help if the need arises, everybody needs to be accepted and if the comunity try to integrate them, things might change. That old teacher needs a lot of learning. The way the world is now one does not go arownd making enemies, what we need is more friends, and if the frail old lady finds herself in a misshap, who do you think is going to rescue her? The rough truck drivers will be the first to come to her aid. Bet my year's salary on it.
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
8 Mar 10
Really a person that is uneducated is in a danger to people. Really, this is one thing where it just makes me want to raise my hand to my forehead and slap it over and over again. Educated does not mean harmless. Well, uneducated does not mean harmless either, but that's far from the point. To say these people cause a danger to people just because they are uneducated is quite frankly beyond belief and not to mention ignorant. A person who is educated should really know better than this. It is not what the person is. It is who the person is. These are just people who are trying to scrap by a living and might be doing the best they can to get by with what life dealt them. Perhaps there is a good reason why these people are uneducated. Of course, some people just seem to look down on people like this but that is society for you. Moving these people out is going to solve absolutely nothing. In fact, moving someone new in that is educated, you might be trading a harmless person for someone completely diabolical. There are many educated people out there that are quite twisted and even more dangerous. They are competent enough to cause real harm because they know what they are doing and they are smart enough not to get caught in many cases. So it does not seem like too smart of a trade off if you look at it from that angle.
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
10 Mar 10
Hi mega, Look i need to share some thing here. This lady is doing a white collar job. She is well to do and she owns her apartment. Now the thing is the place where we live is kind of expensive. SO she had to shell out a lot of money to buy her apartment. Naturally she never expected a group of bachelors and that too truck drivers to be her neighbors. Just for a moment think from her mindset and u may find some logic. She is a working old lady, out of her house most of the time and returns home in the evening. And she has a group of young men living next to her and they are definitely not friendly with her and also suspicious. She is scared that these guys may rob her house and flee . But on the same time u cannot lodge a complaint against someone just because u assume that they can do such criminal activities. SO its a tricky situation really. Cheers, Tutul
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
10 Mar 10
But i agree with you completely that even having a so called educated neighbors will guarantee that they wont do any harm to her. You have a valid point here. Cheers, Tutul
@warvial (1146)
• Singapore
9 Mar 10
Pardon me for saying, but what's wrong with being a truck driver? I somehow felt that the lady is abusing her authority. Unless they have concrete evidence to prove that the truck driver neighbors is conducting something illegal or involved in something dangerous, if not, they should have sue her (the professor) for humiliation and defamation. May I know what's the reason that the professor gave to the committee? Because they returned home late at night? I hope some good people will be able to go and reason out with the majority of those committee. An old person may be a wise person but a wise person doesn't bully the poor and weak. If I were in such situation, 1)I will try to find out the reason why the professor is doing such things, 2)Persuade the committee or get someone who is able to assist to make these people understand the job nature of the truck driver neighbors and their needs to have a roof over their head or if the above fails 3)help them to look for another place to stay.
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
10 Mar 10
Hi war, Thats the best response i got so far. It shows that you got a very thinking brain and i will just do the same which u wrote here. This old lady's problem is she had to shell out a lot of money to but this apartment. And now she is upset to find a group pf young men as their neighbor. She wants a family to be her neighbor of say her standards. Yes as a truck driver u got to work in odd hours. And say every one has a different time to work or a different shift. So they do return home at odd hours and they dont gel with other people. That makes them suspicious as well. But certainly none of this makes them criminal or dangerous. So how can one lodge a complaint. I will do my best to defend those guys. Cheers, Tutul
@pandaeyes (2065)
9 Mar 10
That seems very petty of her really. If she were a school teacher,surely she can understand that not everyone is a scholar and that some peoples skills are in other areas. I think she is unreasonable in her wants. One of the nicest people around here was an old man in his seventies who couldn't read or write. She really needs to open her mind a bit more.
1 person likes this
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
8 Mar 10
This teacher may have book smarts but obviously she is lacking sense. My dad was a truck driver for a long time after he quit his job firefighting. If someone were to tell me he's some bad criminal type. I'd laugh my self to a fit because thats so far from the truth and I'll say he knows a heck of a lot more stuff than I do and I was in school longer than he was. If you really want to help these truckers you need to get some other like minded people such as yourself and maybe you all can speak up for them. Some people need to learn that someone being a teacher doesn't make them some magical all knowing beings. I've met some pretty stupid teachers.
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
10 Mar 10
Hey, Yes lacking sense becoz she is feeling insecured. I will try to convince other people and raise my point. U know when a person gets old they start ot behave like a child. Its just the case of such thing. But we have to take care that an innocent man doesnt suffer. Cheers, Tutul
@angelajoy (1825)
• Philippines
9 Mar 10
Being poor and uneducated does not automatically make someone a bad person. I can be friends with those people even though I'm educated. But sad to say, lots of poor and uneducated people here that I know do behave badly. They steal and hurt others. I think this is where the stereotyping comes from. And I think there is some truth in it because seeing as these people are desperate, most of them are prepared to do anything to survive. But I think if these people would be given a better opportunity to earn an honest and sufficient income, chances are they would stop stealing and hurting others just to have some money. The bottom line is that economic and social inequality force them to be bad people.
1 person likes this
@Detrox93 (106)
• United States
8 Mar 10
I used to be scared of people who were poor, especially if they lived on the streets. However, when I started to listen to their opinions and meet them, I figured out they are just like a normal person. In fact, they are much harder working and they are easy to respect. I have worked at McDonalds, and that is when I realized that some of my coworkers were homeless, but seemed to show-up everyday with a smile and did what it took to appear normal. They deserve a break and not to be banished from society.
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
10 Mar 10
Hi detro, U r so right. They deserve a break and not abuse from all of us. The history shows that the rich has always exploited the poor and it continues to be so. Iam going to protest it and come what may i will defend for these young men. Someone has to fight against injustice and i will do my best. Thanks for the encouraging words. Cheers, Tutul
@MrKennedy (1978)
8 Mar 10
Most certainly not. In my experience, I actually find the more educated people to be worse, and can often come across as cunning, rude and snobbish. Never judge a book by its cover I say, and give everybody of all backgrounds and educations a chance
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
10 Mar 10
Absolutely Kennedy. Thats the point i will raise in the meeting and hope they will make a fair decision. Cheers, Tutul
@kaylachan (71950)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Mar 10
I think it is wrong to assume just because they are truck drivers for a living that they aren't smart, or have a good edcuation. Just because you flip burgers, drive a truck, or some type of job like that, doesn't mean you are not smart, or haven't ben edcuated. She should stop and get to know those men before passing judgment, but she sounds real old-fassioned. Now a days you need certin skills in order to drive a truck. And, I wouldn't support her desire to have them evicted based on their profession of choice.
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
10 Mar 10
Hi kayla, Yes i hope the committee members make a right decision. Cheers, Tutul
@Gany15k (1673)
• India
8 Mar 10
I will make all the people to stand against that old lady.I just wonder whether she has sixth sense or not...And the people who supports her are very bad.All believe if a person looks smart or dress up decently.And if does a mistake then they will say..oh , i don't think he would have done this.Some of the poor people are so affectionate than the relatives.I have experienced this.Poor people are always good.Education is not needed to understand the means of life.Experience and the society is enough..I think she won't study other than books it seems..Tell her to study the people...
@tutul0045 (2630)
• India
10 Mar 10
Hi, Yes i will try to do the same as well. I believe we have some sensible people left in our compound and they will take a right and fair decision. Cheers, Tutul