'Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police'- Martin GansbergSummary
[Martin Gansberg's article "Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police" recounts the tragic murder of Kitty Genovese in New York City. The story describes how 38 neighbors witnessed parts of the attack but failed to intervene or call for help. Kitty was stabbed multiple times over the course of 30 minutes, and despite her screams for assistance, no one acted to stop the assailant or contact the police until it was too late. Gansberg highlights the excuses of the witnesses, many of whom avoided involvement out of fear or apathy. He quotes detectives who emphasized that a single phone call could have saved her life. The story serves as a critique of societal indifference and a call for people to take action during emergencies to prevent similar tragedies.]
1. Introduction
Martin Gansberg, a New York Times author, wrote the article "Thirty-Eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police" to address society's inaction in the face of violence. He highlights a real-life murder case to emphasize the need for people to intervene during life-threatening events. His goal is to persuade readers to change their mindset about public safety and take responsibility.
2. Purpose
Gansberg’s main purpose is to encourage society to protect others when they witness violence. He tells the story of a homicide, describing how witnesses failed to act. Through this, he urges readers to take immediate action in similar situations to prevent tragedies.
3. Supporting Evidence
The author strengthens his argument by including details from the murder case. He quotes detectives who said a simple phone call could have saved the victim. He also shares excuses from witnesses, who avoided helping because they didn’t want to "get involved."
4. Writing Style
Gansberg uses a clear and effective format. He begins with a narrative about the crime, then discusses the larger societal issue. His descriptions of the event and the witnesses’ reactions effectively highlight how inaction led to the victim’s death.
5. Conclusion
The article serves as a call to action for readers to take responsibility for others' safety. By presenting this real-life tragedy, Gansberg persuades society to step up and prevent such incidents in the future.
