The short story "On the Sidewalk Bleeding" by Evan Hunter is a critique of society's tendency to categorize and judge people based on their appearance or social status. The author illustrates this through the character of Andy, a teenage boy who is a member of a gang known as the Royals. Andy is wearing his gang jacket when he is stabbed in an alleyway by members of a rival gang, the Guardians. However, despite being a victim of a violent crime, passersby who come across his bleeding body do not offer help or call for assistance. Instead, they simply label him as a "Royal" and ignore him.
The author uses this incident to highlight how society often fails to see individuals beyond their social or cultural labels, and how this can have tragic consequences. The story shows how preconceived notions and stereotypes can prevent people from connecting with each other on a human level and can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding. Through Andy's struggle to be recognized as an individual rather than a gang member, the author emphasizes the importance of looking beyond labels and treating people with compassion and respect, regardless of their background or appearance.
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