Guilt from Safety

One of the last chapters in Horwitz’s novel describes in vivid, frightening detail, the author’s voyage to and from the war stricken country of Lebanon. Horwitz boards a ferry which is transporting passengers to and from the capital city of Beirut, a dismantled and completely out-of-control war-zone. Horwitz had planned to merely take the main ferry close to the shores of Beirut and then after the other passengers had boarded a smaller craft which would take them ashore, he would stay on the ferry and go back to where he came from. Horwitz describes however the familiar “uncomfortable journalistic moment” where he leaves a person who he has recently become friends with to face peril, while he (Horwitz) is privileged enough to stay out of harm’s reach. On his ferry trip to Lebanon, Horwitz meets a man named Marwan. After spending 14 hours on a boat together they become “buddies,” and Horwitz feels guilty that he has simply “milked” Marwan for quotes and is now leaving him on the threshold of grave danger. A combination of curiosity and guilt causes Horwitz to board the second boat with Marwan and complete his voyage into Beirut. Horwitz spends the majority of this second leg of his voyage face down on the boat’s deck hearing mortar shells penetrate the water around him. His companions think that he is crazy for risking his life just to get a better “story.” Getting a better story however had not been Horwitz’s motive for putting his life at the mercy of Syrian gunmen.
After having read Horwitz’s opinion about what is essentially guilt from safety, I couldn’t help but try to relate this feeling to my own life. Instead of feeling shame for living in a secure society so far from war, I should do things, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, to help those in need. Feeling guilty isn’t going to help anyone, unless one’s guilt drives his pursuit to help others. Also, instead of being ashamed of the security and the opportunities that our country provides for us, I need to be sure to not take them for granted.
BD