"Do-Gooder"
From time to time I've been called (to my face) a 'do-gooder.' I've heard things like, "Oh, you're one of those ," or "So you're a tree-hugger, crazy animal person, etc.' Dozens of people have said these things to me over the years. Maybe you've heard similar comments a time or two yourself. When I hear these words from someone's mouth I'm always a bit taken aback, surprised and caught off guard. Why am I so shocked to hear these comments? What's the big deal? Perhaps I find it offensive when someone treats issues I view as important, even fundamental to life as we know it, as if they're silly or meaningless. I guess this shocks me and catches me completely off guard every time it happens. Maybe I'm so taken aback when these terms are used because they reveal a complete void, a complete lack of empathy on the other person's side. And I don't mean empathy for me, I mean empathy relating to the issues, ...