My friend Jeffrey posted this on his FB page tonight:
Tonight, waiting for the F train by Bryant Park, a homeless kid, maybe late 20’s, and a little worse for wear, asked this couple sitting next to me, with several grocery bags from Whole Foods, if they could spare any food to eat.
The woman, maybe late-30’s, immediately said no, and rudely told him to get away and leave them alone.
Here is the fun part. She turned to me and said, “can you believe this. They need to lock these people up it’s their choice to be on the street. It shouldn’t be ours.”
Without missing a beat, I said, “I’ve actually been homeless for a year and a half. I sleep on the E train at night. I haven’t eaten in almost two days.”
To which she said, “ you don’t look like one of them. You look normal and clean.” I just shrugged and said I found the clothes I have on, and then looked like I was going to cry. And, I swear you can’t make this s**t up, she reached into her Whole Food bag and gave me chicken salad, a sandwich and something to drink. Then the mann with her proceeded to hand me a $10 bill.
I said, “Thank you. But you really shouldn’t judge people based on how they look or only help those who look like you.” Then I called the kid over and gave him the food and the $10.
The gall and inhumanity of people just astounds me.
You don’t want to someone, you don’t need to belittle them or treat them like they aren’t a human being. Say “no, I’m sorry.” Or if you can, buy them a sandwich. But to degrade them because they’re struggling is unnecessary, not to mention vile and appalling.
Frankly, I’d happily choose to spend time with many of the homeless folks I’ve come to know over some of those who consider themselves the right kind of people.
The men and women on the street or in shelters need compassion and empathy. At the very least they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
