not very good...but...
Thoughts on poverty...
Today, when I was standing outside of my work place, I was approached by an older black woman. She came up to me, shaking a little, and asked me if I could help her.
"Ma'am...miss, excuse me, could you help me out? I'm a diabetic, and I need to get something in me, but the mission doesn't open until nine. I need to get some orange juice or something...could you help me please?" She stood there looking at me with pleading eyes. They had a white film around them, as if she had been crying for days, or sleeping for just as long. It was the tell-tale sign that this woman was genuinely in rough shape, and I couldn't refuse.
For the most part, I don't give money to strangers. First of all, I don't make enough money as it is to be handing it out to people that I don't know. Second of all, to me, it's unethical. However, I have no problem giving cigarettes away, and just as little problem with buying someone food.
"You need orange juice?" I said, lighting a cigarette. "I'll buy you some orange juice."
She seemed surprised, as if she was expecting me to turn away without reply. Or worse, with an offering of indifference.
"Yeah, we have some inside. Give me a minute to finish my cigarette." So we stood there for a few minutes, Ernestine and I, and talked for a minute. I told her about friends of the night people, and how they have a free pantry there, and serve meals every night. She was a really nice lady, really sweet, and really sad.
So afterwards I was thinking about, and I was thinking about the button that I wear on my bag that says "Poverty is a Weapon of Mass Destruction." And you know how when you see a victim of war, or a victim of crime, you think to yourself, "Oh my god, think of what that poor person must have gone through. That must have been such an awful experience. I couldn't even imagine..." Well, it's kinda the same thing. Just over a span of time, versus a split second. It's just as terrible an ordeal to have to go through, except it isn't just life-changing, but a life long situation that one has to deal with.
I think it bothers me most when people say things like "Oh my god, I saw someone pushing a shopping cart down the street, and it was sooo sad, I just had to look away." (-actual quote from a classmate)
Huh. Just had to l ook away.
That really is the great-American-cop-out. If you don't look, it's easier to pretend it isn't there. And it's easier to skew the reality of the situation, when you aren't faced with it everyday. Not every homeless person is some lazy-bum-dope-fiend. There are people out there who are in genuine need of food, clothing, a decent place to sleep, a fucking shower...Human Dignity? Kindness? Respect? How about tolerance? Is that too much to spare?
Yeah, there are some good people out there who are kind enough to care. And for those people, I tip my hat. I think it's more of an overall perspective that bothers me. As far as the nation is concerned, as far as cable news, and even liberal indie media are concerned, it's just a non-existent thing.
I have to say, I hate poverty.
But I don't hate the impoverished.
-hypocrite.
Today, when I was standing outside of my work place, I was approached by an older black woman. She came up to me, shaking a little, and asked me if I could help her.
"Ma'am...miss, excuse me, could you help me out? I'm a diabetic, and I need to get something in me, but the mission doesn't open until nine. I need to get some orange juice or something...could you help me please?" She stood there looking at me with pleading eyes. They had a white film around them, as if she had been crying for days, or sleeping for just as long. It was the tell-tale sign that this woman was genuinely in rough shape, and I couldn't refuse.
For the most part, I don't give money to strangers. First of all, I don't make enough money as it is to be handing it out to people that I don't know. Second of all, to me, it's unethical. However, I have no problem giving cigarettes away, and just as little problem with buying someone food.
"You need orange juice?" I said, lighting a cigarette. "I'll buy you some orange juice."
She seemed surprised, as if she was expecting me to turn away without reply. Or worse, with an offering of indifference.
"Yeah, we have some inside. Give me a minute to finish my cigarette." So we stood there for a few minutes, Ernestine and I, and talked for a minute. I told her about friends of the night people, and how they have a free pantry there, and serve meals every night. She was a really nice lady, really sweet, and really sad.
So afterwards I was thinking about, and I was thinking about the button that I wear on my bag that says "Poverty is a Weapon of Mass Destruction." And you know how when you see a victim of war, or a victim of crime, you think to yourself, "Oh my god, think of what that poor person must have gone through. That must have been such an awful experience. I couldn't even imagine..." Well, it's kinda the same thing. Just over a span of time, versus a split second. It's just as terrible an ordeal to have to go through, except it isn't just life-changing, but a life long situation that one has to deal with.
I think it bothers me most when people say things like "Oh my god, I saw someone pushing a shopping cart down the street, and it was sooo sad, I just had to look away." (-actual quote from a classmate)
Huh. Just had to l ook away.
That really is the great-American-cop-out. If you don't look, it's easier to pretend it isn't there. And it's easier to skew the reality of the situation, when you aren't faced with it everyday. Not every homeless person is some lazy-bum-dope-fiend. There are people out there who are in genuine need of food, clothing, a decent place to sleep, a fucking shower...Human Dignity? Kindness? Respect? How about tolerance? Is that too much to spare?
Yeah, there are some good people out there who are kind enough to care. And for those people, I tip my hat. I think it's more of an overall perspective that bothers me. As far as the nation is concerned, as far as cable news, and even liberal indie media are concerned, it's just a non-existent thing.
I have to say, I hate poverty.
But I don't hate the impoverished.
-hypocrite.