We can all agree that homelessness is a serious issue in
certain regions throughout the world. Some begging for any spare change, others
cuddled in a back-alley with a shopping cart filled with his or her belongings
and maybe a dog or two. Most people fall conflicted with the choice whether to
help them or not. Some people brush past them, pushing forward with their day
to their jobs or their luxurious cars, ignoring a homeless person’s plea for a
couple coins to save up for a meal that will last them the next few days. After
reading four articles on poverty and homeless people, I have learned that just
because a person is homeless doesn’t mean they’re unable to bring in an income.
In “Brother, Don’t Spare A Dime”, an article written by Christopher Awalt, Awalt
talks about some homeless people refusing to overcome their circumstances,
while on the other hand, there are people who have been stripped clean
financially and thrown to the streets and have no other place to go. Some
homeless people suffer from mental illness that prevents them from solving any
financial situation that puts them in the risk of poverty. It is hard making a
choice after hearing stories about homeless people who stand on the freeway
exit all day asking for change has a better income than a parent who works a
five to nine on weekdays. Also, contributing to the dilemma, there are people
who dress up as a homeless person and ask for money as either a side job, or
they’re too lazy to acquire a job. This makes it harder to differentiate the
permanently homeless and a homeless person for a couple hours. Everybody has
the power to make a change and stand back up after falling. It’s just the
matter of ambition for it. If a person really wants to make a great life for their
self, they’ll do it. All there is to it is making the best judgment of who to
give your money to when asked. Some people it means nothing, to others, it’s
their life. Think twice about whom you give your money to.
Dear Malik,
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely true when you say that we should “think twice about whom you give your money to.” In these circumstances with the economy and societal values nowadays, it is really hard to have faith in people who are on the streets with all the stories that go around. I cannot believe how some people can stoop so low as to dress up as being homeless just to live an easy life. Hearing all these stories makes me even more skeptical about the homeless people I see on streets. This is why I would rather give them food than money any day. I think that giving them money is just not as effective because they might use it on stuff like alcohol and drugs. Everyone does have the ability to make a change, but it is really difficult when there are so many evil people out there trying to live life in an easy manner. I just hate having to see homeless people sleeping on the streets but it does make me realize how lucky I am and how much stuff I do take granted for.