Tuesday, September 27th 2005
“I’m Human Too”
Here’s some local news from Santa Monica that we really don’t care about. Yet it includes an anecdote that we might be able to relate to:
Yaroslavsky told a story about his daughter to illustrate one of Friday morning’s recurrent themes — the unwillingness of many to look at and interact with homeless people.
While walking down Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, Yaroslavsky’s daughter got into a conversation with a homeless man. After they’d talked for 20 minutes, she offered him some money.
He refused, saying, “I don’t want your money. You’ve given me something much more important, your respect.”
She later told her father that in the 20 minutes she and the homeless man sat on the curb talking, “dozens of people walked by and none of them made eye contact.”
If you’ve ever lived in Berkeley (or any other urban area), then you’ve probably had your fair share of experiences with homeless people. This guy’s description is pretty accurate: people avoid the homeless.
Honestly, I don’t look at homeless people. If they’re trying to attract my attention, I actively avoid them. For instance, one time I was walking down to the McDonalds on University. Some homeless lady started asking me for change. I kept my eyes focused on the Golden Arches and ignored her. I was hungry, but I would’ve done the same in any situation. She scolded me, “I’m human too, you know.”
Since when did it become an obligation to acknowledge some random person on the street? Maybe it’s the polite thing to do. But if you’re just asking for money, don’t expect politeness. And don’t expect to influence us by targeting us individually. You have your cup and your sign, which should be good enough. So I’m walking by and a bum yells at me asking for change. I totally saw his whole setup and everything, and the decision not to give him my change was made years in advance. So why does he expect to change my mind? Sudden onset of guilt? “Oh, now that I think of it, I do have some spare change. Here’s a dime.”
What it all boils down to is, and let me turn the woman’s quote upside down: “They don’t want our respect, they want our money.” What gets you a hot meal or a handle of Jack? It sure as hell isn’t respect. If they wanted our respect, they’d find another profession besides panhandling.
All I’m saying is that I don’t owe you anything. Sure, you’re “human” but I’ve seen you on that corner for the past two years. Do I need to wear this shirt before you get the picture? Ok, I wouldn’t really wear that shirt nor do I think that you’re human excrement, but you’re still not getting my change.
Now before you start forming any opinions about me, let me add that I gave a bum half of my Doritos bag this one time. What do you guys think? Am I scum? Do you ignore the homeless even more than I do? Time to confess.
I offered a homeless man 3 heads of lettuce once, and he refused.
Comment by Donald — 9/27/2005 @ 7:14 am
Coincidentally, I read a poem by Espronceda today titled “the beggar” and it’s essentially what you’ve said. The homeless people demanding money without thanks because it “brings balance” to the class system.
Comment by funsize — 9/27/2005 @ 6:18 pm
I actually feel really bad when I see bums asking for money. More often than not I just walk by and not give them anything because its a fact that they can get a lot of leftover food from some places in Berkeley. So why do they need money? Most likely for alcohol
Comment by Yuriy Pasko — 9/27/2005 @ 11:40 pm
Alcohol sales in San Francisco spike imediately after the city government gives money to homeless people.
Comment by Michael — 9/28/2005 @ 12:21 am
yeah, but what could be worse than being homeless and sober? in my view, alcoholism is the homeless beggar’s best argument.
Comment by g — 9/28/2005 @ 1:47 pm
h4h4
i nev@r give dose bums @nyting. best to ignore dose failures.
giving dem money just makes dey situation worse… dey dont need 25 cents, 50 cents, 5 dollah’s, etc… waT dey need iz rehabilation and shiT.
“bums smashT”
Comment by smashT — 9/28/2005 @ 7:01 pm
This one time I was walking down Durant and this homeless guy asked me to spare him some change. I didn’t give him any. Then he put out his hand for me to shake it, and I didn’t shake it. Then he said, “What’s wrong you brotha … Don’t you realize you’re BLACK???”
Comment by Fresh Prince — 9/29/2005 @ 9:50 am
While leaving the parking lot at church one Sunday, I noticed a seemingly able-bodied man in his mid to late 30s. He was holding a sign asking for help for his family. Mind you, he’s on the grounds of a church. Why did he not cross the parking lot and seek out the help from the higher-ups? I know not. I wonder what my pastor would say to him. I did buy fries for one guy at Spike’s. It’s all he wanted! I’ll buy the person food, but I won’t give ‘em change.
Comment by Zibs the Bowler — 9/29/2005 @ 4:48 pm
I wouldn’t even buy him food. It just makes the situaiton worse by telling these people that they can actually survive without making a concerted effort to fix their lives.
If you see a friend of yours homeless, you don’t bring that person ito your house and let them leach off of you. If you actually care, you get them up off the street, get them a job, and teach them to take care of themselves.
This is the way it should be for everyone.
Comment by Fresh Prince — 9/30/2005 @ 10:43 am
I actually feel sorry for homeless people… in avery place except Berkeley. One time I was eating a salad at Cafe Milano and I had to walk FOUR BLOCKS before I found someone who wanted to take my piece of bread.
Oh, and the ones who think they’re smart, I hate them the most. The ones who think they’re politicially more savvy than you, that they understand the world, that they’re so fucking smart because they live in Berkeley. They seem to take out their hate not on the wealthy liberal trash in Berkeley who claim to care about them but woudl never invite one into their home. They seem to take it out on students who are definitely more conservative but are less able to “solve” the problem than Berkeley residents.
Ok, so I’ve actually met a few bums that were ok but it doesn’t excuse many of their arrogances to my generosity.
Comment by Anonymous — 10/1/2005 @ 12:32 pm
As a general rule, I won’t give bums cash because I feel that they’d just spend it on ethanol… however, I did break my own policy the other day and indeed gave a guy a dollar because he at least made the effort to look presentable–which is rather important, so far as I’m concerned.
Comment by TigerhawkVok — 10/5/2005 @ 12:45 pm
gg
Comment by Anonymous — 10/7/2005 @ 2:40 am
the nerve of all those homeless people. dont they know how uncomfortable they make us feel????
Comment by Anonymous — 10/7/2005 @ 2:41 am
yes, you are scum.
Comment by charles — 10/11/2005 @ 6:40 pm
Le Precieux Ridicule.
Patrick Rodriguez says it all. california patriot blog : “I’m Human Too”. To answer your question, Patrick: yes, you are scum. I’m not criticizing him for his lack of charity, for perhaps Rodriguez is also financially troubled. Or perhaps he
Trackback by Charles Lin's Journal — 10/11/2005 @ 11:46 pm