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Monday, January 16, 2012

Unsavory, indeed

  

 While reading the Sunday paper yesterday, I came across a letter to the editor that really irked me.  I feel I must write about it and I hope you'll indulge me.  I won't take long, promise.

     The writer stated that he'd like the city to move panhandlers "temporarily" from an exit ramp that will receive heavy traffic on Superbowl Sunday.  To quote him, "every night as I exit the ramp, I have to endure the soulful looks from the panhandlers who seem to have staked out their territory.  I find it disconcerting that this is the first impression that people coming in for the Super Bowl will get.  Can we find a way to rid our ramps of these people for the week of the game?"

      Seriously, I don't know where to begin.  This is sad to me on a number of levels.  The writer signed his name and apparently lives in one of the more affluent areas.  Instead of wasting paper, perhaps he should count his blessings that he's never hit rock bottom like some of the individuals he described.  Remember the saying, "never judge a person until you've walked a mile in their shoes?"  Or how about, "there but for the grace of God, go I". 

     These are hard times we're living in.  I would think most people don't have to look very far to see the effects of the rough economy on someone they know; but maybe the fellow who wrote that travels in different circles. I'm not sure he realizes how many people are just one step away from a chain of events that could send them in a downward spiral.  I find his suggestion of temporarily removing unsavory people from view abominable.  In a word, I find it a selfish idea when what is desperately needed is some kind of solution.

      For every fraud who may be standing on a street corner asking for handouts, there are most certainly people who are truly homeless and have lost everything.  Yes, there are agencies that help, but they aren't in a position to feed, cloth or house anyone on a daily basis.  None of us can discern with one view whether or not another person is definitely in "need", but I have to ask, where is the compassion?

      In my mind, resorting to standing on a corner braving the elements, begging for help would have to be the last straw in someone's life, wouldn't you agree?  The bigger issue is one that cannot be waved away so that society as a whole doesn't have to feel uncomfortable.  If we're talking about the demise of some once prosperous cities, we can turn in any direction and see factories and businesses that have shut down and how the enormous loss of jobs has affected the economy overall.  If you're going to turn a blind eye, you've got to start at the source. 

      I don't have the answers.  I wish I did.  The Superbowl has been around for years and people will continue to attend wherever it's held and sadly probably won't think twice about someone standing on a corner.  What I find distasteful is the attitude that people can and should be invisible because of their appearance or what they represent.   This world needs more love, compassion, kindness, empathy.  You can't solve a thing otherwise. 



     

   

15 comments:

  1. My mom used to say just give them a dollar or some food (even better if you have it).

    You never know when you might really be giving to Jesus.

    Sure they may use it for beer, but that is on them.

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  2. I've heard that in Indy they're planning on shuttling the homeless out of downtown during SB weekend. Our society is in a bad place these days. :(

    Thanks for speaking out! You should write your own reply to the paper!

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  3. Couldn't have said it better myself. Hope everyone takes this to mind. :-)

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  4. I concur. The judging part isn't up to US. There's a homeless (I assume) man who stands nearly EVERY day on a major street we live off of. One day Doug & I watched in horror as the man was almost plowed down by a random move a motorist made. For a while, we didn't see the fellow at that location, but he's back now and we haven't actually read his sign so I don't know what he's wanting. It's COLD here and we never have seen anyone roll down their window or stop & give him anything, so one has to assume he's not profiting big time by standing out there.

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  5. I totally agree with Shelly....I think there are many people in these dire economic times in America, probably including the selfish, judgemental man that wrote the original letter to the editor, that are just one step away from being homeless unless they maybe have a family member or friend to take them in....all it takes is losing your job and not being able to find another one - then you can't make your mortgage payment, car payment, etc....sadly, you might eventually become one of these homeless people standing by the side of the road with a sign....each homeless person has a story and I don't think they should be judged just because they have hit hard times...so maybe the selfish, judgemental fella that wrote the original letter should be a little less concerned with appearances and more concerned with being compassionate

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  6. My thought would be that the writer cares more about the "pride of life" than the souls who need help. We are to do unto others, but I suspect he doesn't know that.

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    1. Sandy,
      I'd agree-----have to wonder what he thinks we're put on this earth for!? Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting!

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  7. I know how you must feel as you are obviously very compassionate. You know when I hear someone robbed a bank or something, I feel sorry that they have been so desperate to try something like this. Of course, it's a crime and it's wrong, but...

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    1. Christine, thank you; yes I am a very compassionate person. I feel like we've come so far as a society and yet we've got so very far to go. Still. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  8. Great Article! We definately do not know where people have been. I feel helpless when I see such folks on the side of the road. Sometimes I'm able to help and sometimes not. I have to be honest though Shelly..I have had the same thoughts. I sometimes think "why don't they get a job!"

    The truth is...that they wouldn't be out there (most of them) if they could get a job.

    I want to look at these folks the way Jesus does..with love..

    Blessings
    Shari

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    1. Thank you so much for commenting, Shari. I know it's easy to jump to conclusions abt. people/situations, but I think we'd all be better off if we would stop ourselves in that moment & remind ourselves we DON'T usually know what someone else may be going through.

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  9. WOW these people are cold and starving we sure would not want a DOSE of reality for people who can afford to spend 10,0000.00 or more on a weekend .. pity if their weekend was spoiled by the cold and hungry and jobless Americans !!!! This Is Rita Littrell

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  10. What a great post I totally agree. I remember years ago I went to London with an ex, we went into McDonald's, I got myself 2 meals, one for me and one for the homeless guy I saw outside. When I gave it to him my ex laughed at me and thought I was weird for doing it. I still don't understand how anyone can think that! :)

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  11. Zombie Mommy what a simple idea. I don't like to judge them, but I'd rather give them food or offer them a job. You can sort the fakes out that way. Most want no part of either. I used to work downtown in Cincy and Indy, you'd be surprised. Some of these people have very nice homes and cars. Of course, most of them don't. Even those that need a job and food will sometimes pass, because they have become so addicted to alcohol or drugs the desire for those overpowers their needs. I encourage you to buy them a sandwich, give them a goody bag of snacks, or a bottle of juice first. This way, you really are helping them out instead of enabling. Of course, their are mothers and fathers out there too just trying to scrape by for their kids. It is a tough call. I befriended a few in Cincy and learned many things.

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  12. I always wish I had a p.b.&j. or something handy to give them. Certainly no one chooses to be on the corner asking for help.

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