Even if the situation was uncomfortable, do you think you’d follow your gut and speak up? For years ABC’s What Would You Do? has been putting Americans to the test, using hidden cameras to capture their reactions in different “real world” scenarios.
The television program asks viewers:
“When you think no one is watching… what would you do?”
During one episode of the show, the crew travels to Jasper, Alabama to turn the spotlight on a very common problem in the U.S. – adult illiteracy.
A fictitious scene was set up at the Lavish Coffee Bar involving a couple of actors. Would customers step forward to help a man being harassed over not being able to read?
It all starts when a customer named Brad approaches the counter to order a milkshake. There’s one problem though. He can’t read the menu to determine what the flavors are.
After trying to skirt around things, Brad is forced to reveal his issue to the employee.
He then politely asks the girl if she can help go through the flavors. But instead of kindly responding “yes,” she asks, “How do you not know how to read?”
Fortunately, two people standing behind Brad overhear what’s going on and immediately step forward. They have a big problem with the employee’s response – so the female customer begins reading Brad the milkshake flavors.
It’s a situation that hits home for the pair.
The female customer shares with the rude employee that she has an aunt who can’t read either. When the girl responds, “How does that even happen?” she fills her in on the truth.
“It’s called people having to go through a tough life sometimes and you have to work.”
She’s not the only one who stands up to the cashier in Brad’s defense. The man also has something to say too.
Finally, host John Quiñones walks in with his camera crew and reveals that it’s a television show. Because of their kind hearts and strength, it seems like the pair “passed the test” with flying colors.
But how would others react when placed in the same scenario? Would even more Jasper residents try and help Brad – or choose to stay out of it?
The next customers put to the test are a group of young ladies.
Brad once again seems embarrassed admitting that he can’t read. This time though, the employee responds:
“You can’t read? I’ve never met an adult who can’t read.”
The girls appear shocked over what they’re hearing.
One of the young ladies quickly comes to Brad’s aid and starts reading him the menu.
Turns out, she too could relate to the situation. She tells Brad that her grandfather, who’s a coal miner, also struggled with illiteracy because of having to drop out of school to work.
Over and over they let the scenario play out. Some customers walk out hearing the employee’s rudeness, while others stand up for Brad.
There’s one woman, in particular, who’s really taken aback.
Like the others, she quickly swoops in to read Brad the menu without judgment. When the cashier says, “I’m pretty sure this is how he got into the situation in the first place,” the woman can no longer bite her tongue.
The customer is actually an educator, and the topic really strikes her in the heart.
She responds to an ignorant comment from the employee, saying:
“Then apparently you were brought up under a situation where you had every opportunity in education – not everyone does. Not even today.”
The woman can’t control her tears.
After the host shocks the customer with the fact that it’s a show, he asks why she was so upset over the scenario. That’s when she gets emotional and shares the powerful truth.
“I know that people think that in 2019 every person has the same opportunities in education, but they don’t. If you’re a person who grows up in poverty, you may not grow up in a situation where you have access to public education. Or if you’re someone who has a learning disability and you slip through the cracks – and sometimes they do…”
It’s an eye-opening segment of What Would You Do? that you don’t want to miss. Press play below to watch all of the reactions for yourself!
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
