Yesterday at Mass, our deacon spoke about giving to our diocese's fundraiser. He spoke about volunteering at Pinellas Hope, a local homeless help center (temporary housing and hot meals provided). He shared how before going to Pinellas Hope and knowing these people, he, like many middle class Americans, wondered why "those" people didn't just pull themselves up by their bootstraps. After spending time at Pinellas Hope, he discovered the answer...they don't have any boots! That story will stay with me for a long time. There are people who are homeless due to their poor choices (i.e. it's their own fault). There are also people who are homeless because they never had an adequate support system. When you are middle class, you usually not only have some sort of savings for emergencies, you also have people who will help you out in emergencies, additionally you have been exposed to the idea (and believe it) that hard work pays off. It is so hard for middle class America to grasp the reality that the culture of the poor is often dramatically different than our own. Our Youth Group volunteers at Pinellas Hope a few times each year. They also spend a night retreat there...sleeping outside, eating the meal provided at Pinellas Hope, etc. The response is almost always the same..."I had no idea there were 'normal' people who were homeless." or "I'm never drinking...this guy I met used to work at a nice white collar job and he lost it, his family and his home due to drinking." I think this kind of experience should be required for all teenagers (and it would probably benefit all law-makers as well).
People who know me, know I am not an advocate for unlimited social programs. In fact, I think privately run 'help' groups are preferable to government programs all the time. But, at the same time, I believe too many people who live comfortably frequently misjudge those who have less.
It's not that they don't want to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, they just don't have any boots.
1 comment:
(Hi, I'm Cindy's friend!)
I agree with so much of this! I remember a cousin's husband got into a big disagreement with me online, complaining about "those people" wanting "free handouts" and being "lazy" etc. It was around the time the insurance reform talks started going on. I told him, honey, if it were not for the fact that I have very generous parents and happened to meet a very loving, supportive and understanding life partner -- **I** would be one of "those people!" I was diagnosed with a painful chronic illness at the age of 23. I will never be able to work enough to support myself. I did not expect this and it is devastating, not only physically but emotionally as well. I am not "lazy," I do not want to sit home eating chips all day, I do not expect...whatever it was that he was accusing people of wanting. I got sick, it's not my fault, and it took me a long time to not blame myself. There are thousands of people like me out there, and others who while not in the same situations are in similar ones. Sometimes life throws people a curveball, and if they don't have the family or friends to support them that I do, they should not be blamed and shamed and ridiculed.
God bless you and your understanding kindness!
D.
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