Walks Of Life

With so many choices of content to watch nowadays, I often find myself drawn to the lifestyles and biographies of strangers featured on TV or online. I am particularly fascinated by real-life stories as they provide insight into the journeys that people have taken to become who they are today, including the challenges they faced along the way. Many of you may be familiar with the popular YouTube channel ‘Soft White Underbelly’ by Mark Laita. As a seasoned photographer, Mr. Laita creates docu-series in which he interviews individuals marginalised by society, shedding light on the homelessness crisis in America.

As I listen to the life stories of these overlooked individuals, it becomes clear that we, as humans, should refrain from judging others based solely on appearances and instead cultivate empathy. Having been a subscriber to his channel for over three years, I have come to realise that many of these individuals grew up in unstable homes, where those who were meant to protect and show them compassion often failed. Consequently, they sought belonging in unhealthy environments and with the wrong people.

The harsh reality is that one does not have to come from a troubled background to end up in a similar situation. Personally, while I may never fully grasp another person’s decision making to end-up where they are, I believe it should be natural to treat everyone with kindness, ensuring they do not feel any less valued than those around them in our society today.