The Concept of Help

          Help is a fundamental part of our human experience, but its meaning can vary greatly depending on our perspective. While some may view help as a simple act of giving, I believe it encompasses much more. In many ways, help is socially constructed, shaped by cultural norms and values that influence who is seen as deserving of assistance. My understanding of help has been shaped by my experiences, especially the lessons I learned from the people around me.
          One of my earliest and most memorable experiences with the concept of help comes from watching my dad. He ran a small pizza business downtown, and while we didn’t have many customers, I noticed something that stood out to me. A lot of the people who came in were individuals experiencing homelessness, and my dad often gave them pizza for free. As a kid, I didn’t understand why he did this. I would sometimes say, “Dad, they probably have money, and you’re getting scammed.” But he would always give me the same reply: “Maybe, but that’s not our business. Someone came to me asking for help, and I can’t turn them away.”
          Looking back, I see that this simple, everyday act of kindness shaped my understanding of what it means to help. It’s not just about solving a problem or giving materialistic things. Help, as my dad showed me, is about showing compassion and trusting people, even when the outcome is uncertain. He wasn’t concerned about being "scammed" or getting something back. For him, helping was about being there for others without needing to justify it or receive anything in return.
          In many ways, my dad’s approach to help challenges the narratives we often hear about who deserves assistance. Society tends to judge people in need, drawing lines between the “deserving” and the “undeserving,” especially when it comes to helping those in poverty. This judgment can limit our willingness to help, as we feel the need to determine whether someone is worthy of it. My dad didn’t see it that way. He taught me that help is a human connection—it’s about recognizing the dignity in others and being willing to support them, even when their need isn’t obvious or when you don’t know their full story. This has made me think about the way we approach helping others, especially in a world where judgment or fairness often comes before compassion.
          Reflecting on this, I realize that my understanding of help often fluctuates between fairness and compassion. In the past, I associated fairness with the idea that help should only be given to those who truly deserve it, rooted in their motives or actions. This way of seeing things can create barriers to giving help, as it encourages judgment rather than understanding. However, my dad’s actions have pushed me toward a more compassionate perspective. Compassion lays bare every person's worth, no matter what they’re going through, and that everyone deserves help simply because they are human.
          I’ve learned that compassion can create a stronger connection between the person giving help and the person receiving it. When we focus only on fairness, we risk making help feel like a transaction, where support is given based on whether someone seems deserving. Compassion, on the other hand, helps us look deeper and understand each person’s unique situation and this allows us to offer support that truly matters. This deeper connection reminds us that we all share the same human experience. It encourages us to help others not because we feel we have to, but because we genuinely want to support and uplift them.
          This also makes me question some of the common assumptions about help. Is help truly effective when we focus on immediate needs but ignore deeper systemic issues? For example, while giving pizza to someone is helpful in that moment, it doesn’t address the larger issues of homelessness or poverty. But my dad’s actions did build a sense of unity and trust, which I believe is a valuable outcome. I believe help is not always about solving long-term problems; sometimes it’s about human connection, even if the help is temporary.
          In conclusion, my understanding of help has been shaped by this simple act of kindness, and it has changed the way I think about helping others today. Help, as I see it, is not just about giving material aid, like food or money, but about showing empathy and recognizing the shared humanity in everyone. My dad’s example continues to challenge how I think about who deserves help and why. Sometimes, the most meaningful help is given without question or expectation.