Do Homeless People Make You Feel Guilty?
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In a world where we feel like two bags of chips for $4 is a sale and one cup of hot chocolate is almost the same price, it amazes me that so many people snub those who really do need money. I even have to reflect on my own monetary actions. I come to work everyday and grab a 75ยข small bag of Cheez-its, grab a bag of Cheetos while I'm in night class, and might grab a gourmet hot chocolate at Borders on the way there, but have caught myself rolling my eyes at one particular Streetwise guy that I see in front of Starbucks on my way to work. He shoves newspapers in peoples' faces and no matter how many he has, he always belts out "I only have to sell one more." I think he'd be a great salesman as pushy as he is. Although he annoys me, I have to self-reflect. If I can blow so much money on food I really don't need, why not help out someone who does? By the next corner, I feel guilty and drop some change into the cup of someone who needs it. If I can spend $5 on junk food, I can afford to give someone $1.
The same guilt trip happens when I open my mailbox. I have enough address labels from different charities to mail my Christmas cards and yours too. When I get them, I feel obligated to donate money to that charity, as long as I believe in that organization. Once I donate to one, I have five more sets before the month is out and I just keep on giving. When I watched Spike Lee's special and BET's fundraiser on Hurricane Katrina, I was online to donate money in no time. Sitting around my apartment hanging out, watching cable, typing MySpace messages on my notebook, and kicking up my brand new Fubu/Timberland/Lugz boots tends to get to a person. I'm not ashamed that I'm 25 years old with my own place and able to pay my own bills. I love that I'm responsible enough to provide for myself economically and go to grad school. But I feel a certain obligation to those who cannot and I'm grounded enough to understand that all of this can be taken from me at a moment's notice. Nothing is promised, except death.
There are some folks who choose to be homeless, some charities who get a little money on the side, and panhandlers who use the money for liquor or send the money off to alternate locations. I understand when people don't donate to every charity that sends out calendars or address labels. I was extremely annoyed when I tried to donate my twin bed to several charities, which refused to come pick it up because their moving men "were not Sears and shouldn't have to take the bed apart." I still remember the time that I tried to give soup that I bought at lunch to a homeless woman on the street, and she said "I had soup yesterday." No matter what, there will always be those who spoil it for people trying to help out. I don't understand why a certain charity charges people to buy their products, like the people who really do need them can afford it. I do realize they have to make money to feed homeless people, but to find out that the bed I donated would be sold in a thrift store was frustrating. There are people who have no bed to sleep in. Why not put my bed in a shelter instead of in somebody's thrift store to buy? When the deliverymen came, they said that because my bed was old, it would probably be used as firewood, even though I'd been sleeping on it for the past two decades and it was still in pretty good shape. The only reason I donated it in the first place was because I wanted a bigger bed and I had no room for two. Things like that would make a person not want to donate to charity or be skeptical of what the profits are used for. But that doesn't stop me from giving. Just because there are a few sour apples does not mean you give up on all fresh fruit.
If I have to deal with picky eaters and hassle charity directors until they pick up furniture, I'm going to continue. I feel better knowing that I tried. If homeless people have to be fed by giving the rest of us who have it easier a guilt trip, so be it. If they stand outside of grocery stores, have signs, pets, or act like obnoxious car salesmen, let them do their thing. They have the right to open their mouths like anybody else. Even if someone doesn't want to give money to a charity or homeless person, there's a tactful way to do it, and it's not looks of disgust, jokes, or complaining in college newspapers. The best way to improve this country is to actually put a helping hand into those who really need it while keeping yourself in check in the process. It's disgusting to read about someone who is selfish enough to have the attitude that they're proud of ignoring homeless people. It shows a lack of sympathy and is repulsively elitist. I'm willing to be that if this writer was in the same situation as the Streetwise newspaper salesman, he would not want people to make fun of him.
To all of us who have more class than that guy, the next time you buy that new video game, cd, pair of boots, outfit, or whatever crazy fatty foods sitting in your dorm, apartment, or house, remember those who don't have the option to buy them, and the 38.2 million people (including 14 million children) who are starving to the point of death.
Published by Shamontiel
Shamontiel is the author of "Round Trip" and "Change for a Twenty," and in mid-October became the Chicago Tribune's Digital News Editor. She works on National Travel, Health and occasionally Breaking News, a... View profile
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- Chip Everett, a staff writer for the DePaulia, states that he ignores homeless people.
- Chip Everett states that "if you're not on the corner handing out useful things like free unused condoms, morning-after pills, booze or are affiliated with the DePaul Blue Crew, some type of fraternity or sorority, you do not belong."
- Will Smith starred in a movie called "The Pursuit of Happyness" about a homeless man who went from sleeping in a bathroom to working with a million dollar company.
108 Comments
Post a CommentSally, if you are really concerned about homeless people using the money for drugs, then I can understand. But does that almost mean you don't support actors and musicians who use recreational drugs? If you're opposed to people using money for drugs (especially in Cali, Hollywood area) then do you watch films with actors who have been interested for doing so? Do you buy their music? Do you have posters of them on your wall? Do you talk about them with the same disgust when you see mugshots of them arrested for substance abuse? That's only fair.
Sally, unless YOU overheard them laughing, then you're giving me information from a third party. I always hear this comment about homeless people using the money for drugs, but have YOU actually seen a homeless person using the drugs in front of you? As far as the friend who laughed and told her to take him to dinner, that's really quite sad, but that one person should not be the representation for all homeless people. While there are certainly some homeless people who take advantage of the system, there are more that don't and really did just reach rough times.
Where i live the homeless are just lazy mooches who usually spend all the money on drugs.
My mom overheard them laughing at us "chumps" numerous times for giving them money to buy dope -- Unfortunately, tourist (our city has lots)never learn.
My friend offered half her sandwich to one, and he laughed at her and told her to take her out to dinner instead.
Most make hundreds of dollars per day (If you are wondering where the money goes to, it is to drugs. Duh -- anonymous probably lives in CA like I do, and the numbers ARE publicized and well known among many locals).
Sometimes people will be left homeless for short extents in their life, but I'm guessing those are the ones who actually try and earn money by at least doing street performances...
Now I should add, I would do just about anything to help a homeless child or animal! I also feel sorry for the disabled veterans who are now living on the street -- Unfortunately, it is difficult to tell who is a drugaddict or not :(
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Anonymous, where did you get these numbers from? Please provide a source. As far as paying for gas in someone's Porsche, they'd have to have a car to begin with.
Old Article but i'll make a post. I recommend to anyone googling just how much a homeless person can make in the course of a year, you may be surprised to know that some may very well be making more than yourself. Easily making as much as up to $700/day, personally i have not felt the desire to ever give someone money because.. why would you? It's like paying for the gas in someone's porche while you're frustrated to pay for your own.
Deez, check the Takeaways. Yes, I saw the movie, and it was a very good movie too. There are so many people who live paycheck to paycheck, including me. If not for my family, I could easily be in the same position, and I never forget that. I'm glad to see you survived the possibility of it almost happening to you twice. Jennifer, I see what you're saying, but I wonder how many of those people were drug addicts or alcoholics before they were homeless, or did they turn to that habit to take away the stress of being homeless. Pretty much everybody I know who turned to alcohol or drugs did it to escape reality. I don't feel the homeless should be any different. However, I do see what you're saying, and I make a point of giving more food/clothes than money.
I like and agree with Jennifer Thompson's message. I do not feel guilty. I work very hard close to 50 hours a week. I devote a lot of time to helping those less fortunate. That does not include handing them money directly. I do support some charities that help homeless people. Seeing so many on the street near where I work in Boston makes me count my blessings and work harder for my family, myself and for everyone.
Did you catch Will Smith in "The Pursuit of Happiness"?
What a heart wrenching movie. The people who are a paycheck away from being homeless are the ones that really get me. I was there (employed but homeless) twice in my life. If it wasn't for the help of some good people my journey would have been a lot harder. Thank God for those that are willing to help their fellow man out.
OK - I did volunteer work at a local charity that worked to bring homeless people to self sufficiency. i learned that 70% of those on the street like that are drug addicts or alcoholics. do NOT give them money - you know where it will go? if you want to help, carry some plastic bags w/ you that have things like granola bars and other non-perishable food in them. also things like deordorant and toothbrushes are good. NO mouthwash. it has alchohol in it.
Oh, as for your question about going to third-world countries, no. At my current full-time job, co-workers have told me about things that they've seen while traveling to India, and I know several people who have visited Africa. The stories they come back with sound terrible. In America, we're killing each other for stupid, racist, and bigoted reasons, but in third-world countries, there are people who are killing each other just to survive. The stories I've been told are horrific, and I grudgingly have to admit that those are the perks of America. As much as I complain about issues here, I can't deny that we do have it better than many other areas which are so far off in poverty to the point of being unbearable.