June 23, 2005
Clashing ethics suck
There is one thing I despise about big cities: the beggars. Its not that I don't understand and feel their frustrations with their situation and their unanswered calls for help; it is that I understand and feel their frustrations with their situation and their calls for help.
The problem is that I have helped some of these beggars out at times and I've gotten screwed. This coupled with the fact that I'm not a millionaire with a hole burning in my pockets I've had to take the principled stance that I will not help any beggars.
I just passed this 40ish woman on the corner of Michigan Ave and Madison St and her cries just hit me. I wanted to do something, but I fell back on the "I'm not helping any beggars" line.
I feel like shit for doing that.
One of my goals is to leave things better than I found them and that includes humankind. I know I cannot fix everything. But, I don't want to have to bend every line but the flip side is protecting myself. I do not want to be a selfish bastard, but how can I make sure that don't become someone who needs help while helping others?
It was probably more of a rhetorical question, but you could look into the charities that work helping the poor/ homeless. There are some that do good work improving the overall situation and quality of life for the homeless, including helping with job placement, etc. It's a way to help ensure you're not being taken advantage of, but you can still help.
My daughter and I went to Chicago on a shopping trip this weekend and the beggars unnerved me. It was great contrast on Michigan Ave. between the exalted prices of the shops, people seeking materialism, and then these people with signs and supposedly desparation. We live in a rural area; I was raised in the South where it is the last thing anyone in desparation would do, beg on the streets. I questioned, are these people really desparate? Are there no services available for them? Are they scammers? I did notice one guy seemed to have really nice shoes and pants. I didn't know how to take it, but it did shake me up. I thought I would have had more satisfaction with myself if I had designated a hundred dollars and dropped a dollar in every beggars cup. But then would I be a supreme sucker? The scenario really confused me.
Maybe some are in need and some are on the take, but it made me feel that it shouldn't happen. Either provisions should be made for the most vulnerable in our society. We shouldn't have to face beggars in our everyday life, there shouldn't be the need.
This morning I had a little extra time and thought I would research the problem and that is how I found your site where I read a little. Wanted to comment.