That hit me! He seemed embarrassed to be "begging" on the streets. At first, I walked past him, then I stopped by the next tree, turned around, looked back at him and looked at him some more, at the same time, making sure he didn't see me.
Something hit me! He seemed "new" to this. He didn't seem ready. I went back and gave him a dollar. I know it wasn't much, but perhaps, it's a start...
I usually don't pay attention to the homeless, thinking they're just plain lazy, content to be sitting down and waiting for coins to fall into their cups, rather than look for a job. Yes, jobs are hard to find nowadays, but these people have been there on the streets, same streets, same corners, for years!! They've been doing this same thing over and over! And sometimes, we see them conglomerating and then what, they talk about how much they've "earned" for the day, and how much more they need in order to buy drugs and alcohol and whatever else they fancy?? I have more pity for the dog or cat some of them "display" to get attention, to arouse pity?! It's a LIE, a BIG LIE!!
No, I have no compassion for them, for many of them! I refuse to give them money. Period. Don't get me wrong. I'm not heartless. On the contrary, I've personally given these people clothing, blankets, comforters, food, in the past, and I still do...but never money, not even change. Correction - I've given money, and still do, to those genuinely hungry, to those on whose faces, in whose eyes, are clearly written, "HARD TIMES!!" Hard times are real. These people are real. I've bent over and asked without hesitancy, "What happened??" before they could even finish saying, "Thank you".
However, there are those who just look too strong, too healthy to just be sitting the whole day on the streets and "beg" for money. It doesn't help them any, at least, not for me. It only makes them weaker and more dependent on us who truly work our hard-earned money. I give to street musicians, yes, because what they do is work. It's an honest job. Maybe, some would rather have gigs at a restaurant, or a show or a big concert, yes, whatever suits their fancy, but nevertheless, it's work. It's dignified work!
Sure, but they got talent! What about those who can't sing, nor play an instrument, can't dance nor paint, etc., etc., etc.?? Find something to do, damn it!!
But there was something about this man. All of a sudden, I wondered if hard times had hit him, cause he looks so "new"! If it did, is this true for everybody?? Could it be that homeless people, in general, once lived comfortably but went through great obstacles and found it difficult to rise up later?
I remember, one day, I saw a homeless guy right by our neighborhood pushing a cart of belongings and he looked very clean, decent, quite well dressed! I was walking right beside him and I heard him ask softly, "Where are we going now?"
I looked around him and he was by himself. He was talking to himself?! That was the first sign I saw that was "strange" about him. Next was his cart which didn't have a lot and, mind you, looked quite neat and tidy. I thought, "He's homeless?? Is this his first day as a homeless??"
He could have been living in the neighborhood and that's why he was there on his "first day". Maybe he wasn't that far from his home... not yet.
Are homeless people really victims of circumstances beyond their control, beyond their comprehension, perhaps, born to the poorest from generations past?? Or raised in families with great misfortune, they were never taught perseverance, determination, persistence?? Or plainly, due to lack of education, they were never given hope nor encouragement so that they learned to give up, instead?? But I've heard stories, seen documentaries, of homeless people who overcame adversities, one even becoming a Harvard scholar! I've read stories of people who "VOWED" to get away from poverty and have become successful businessmen, lawyers, doctors, musicians!! Are these the lucky few, more the exceptions to the rule?? Are there really those who were abandoned with no place to go and whose dog or cat now depended on them??
After the downtown incident, for whatever reason that these people cannot get started or motivated to do something better with their lives, whatever is the root of all homelessness, I've learned to look at homeless people more gently, with better understanding and with more compassion. I shall continue to give them food and clothing, and money to those who need it most. After all, whenever I pass them, whether I give or not, I am always touched when they politely say, "Have a nice day."
No comments:
Post a Comment