<p>I went to a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp. I figured everyone there would be part of an Interact club.</p>
<p>So some kid I just met and I went to our dorms, and we find these three obese kids who were dressed shabbily and had dumb expressions on their faces. I thought to myself "All these kids are leaders. It's wrong to judge by appearances."</p>
<p>Later that night, they start taking prescription drugs and begin bragging about their crimes. To my surprise, everyone else listens to them and condones their behavior. I was the only was who was thinking: "What the hell? This is a leadership conference and they're abusing drugs and bragging about crimes?" </p>
<p>It turns out that they had spent time in Juvenile Hall and were now in some sort of "Placement facility".</p>
<p>So yeah, I had to spend two harrowing nights with these kids, afraid that they would steal my stuff, assault me, or shove prescription drugs down my throat. Why were they allowed to come?</p>
<p>Because their placement home sent them. Apparently, Rotary can't turn away "disadvantaged" kids.</p>
<p>So now I'm back and I feel so weird. I feel extremely different from when I came. I feel as if they've somehow influenced me and shattered my conservative moral values by talking about their immoral activities in my presence. I feel almost as if I'm somehow closer to that disgusting branch of people now that I've spent time with them.</p>
<p>My mind has felt all empathy and compassion drain. After seeing these people blatantly abuse the hospitality they were given by the program and gain absolutely nothing from the training, I've lost my belief that people can change. I... almost want these scumbags to die. I feel like I would actually love to see these people shoot each other on the streets or be thrown into a garbage dump where they belong. There's no changing them.</p>
<p>Perhaps you are more susceptible than you thought. Instead of enabling them to influence you, why didn’t you try to influence them? Did you ever talk to them? Solely judging individuals doesn’t resolve the issue. I think that you need to alternate your perspective.</p>
<p>I know what you mean…like, exactly. You kinda lose faith in that group of people for a moment, lose trust of humanity. But you gotta remember that in the grand scheme of things, there ARE some individuals who do the best they can, and struggle, and have morals.</p>
<p>Sorry I didn’t post as eloquently as you did, but just know that I know exactly how you feel…I guess I’m a hypocrite, because sometimes I stilll feel that way. That there are evil/bad/broken people who are just bad…and dangerous, and do no good for society, and I wish theyd just disappear. But I try really hard to have some faith in humanity.</p>
<p>^^
I didn’t allow them to influence me. It’s just this weird feeling… Like I’m suddenly different because I spent two nights with them.</p>
<p>I talked with them. I told them that taking drugs was bad but they didn’t listen. I tried to tell them that they were going against everything that the training program stood for but I got interrupted.</p>
<p>It wouldn’t have mattered. The entire weekend was based on becoming a better person and gaining leadership skills but they gained absolutely nothing out of it.</p>
<p>Juvenile convicts in the United States will squander every opportunity that they ever get and are not worth anyone’s attention, time, or money. We should just acknowledge that they are worthless and keep them locked up forever.</p>
<p>Anyone’s mentality can be alternated. I think it’s all relevant to one’s approach. Lecturing doesn’t serve as too much of a benefactor, regardless of the speaker’s intent. In addition, I don’t think that it’s beneficial for one to be judgmental.</p>
<p>Or you could have tried to gain some perspective, and break out of your insular mindset you expose so frequently.</p>
<p>And there’s probably more to their stories than they initially say. You’d probably have to be more of sympathetic and kind person to allow them to reveal that though.</p>
<p>But I guess I can relate/empathize. It’s kind of shocking when you’re first exposed.</p>
<p>Well yea, idk there’s often more factors than you consider. You haven’t really probed deep in to their mindset have you? But yea w/e, maybe I don’t know what I’m saying.</p>