this post was submitted on 19 Dec 2023
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No Stupid Questions

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I want to give them money but since my childhood my parents pretty much told me that they are all either faking it or are too lazy to go to work for money. I mean, I guess they can go to work but not everyone gets accepted to work as easy as it sounds like.

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[–] DessertStorms@kbin.social -2 points 11 months ago (3 children)

Oh yeah, those damn cunning homeless people, there to make you uncomfortable with their suffering.. (in case it isn't clear - heavy sarcasm, your attitude is disgusting)

[–] Shalakushka@kbin.social 5 points 11 months ago

There wasn't any judgement implied there. It literally works because people have empathy, you know, that thing that makes you not immediately assume everyone else has the absolute worst intentions.

[–] rufus@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Well, I was merely stating a fact.

It all depends how that plays out. Empathy is a good thing. It's why were not sociopaths and our species died a long time ago. It can also be exploited by people. I mean there are organized gangs sending out people to beg for money on the streets. Especially around christmas time. I wouldn't give them any money but I have donated to proper people in need.

I don't really like it if people play with empathy. For example showing starving african children is something that works and non-profits do it to get people's attention. Nonetheless it reinforces stereotypes and leads to a spiral of more and more graphic images being needed. It's a complicated topic. I looked for a non-profit who doesn't do this, lets people have their dignity and also spend less of the donations for their own corporation and more for the actual projects.

I believe also with homeless people it's more complicated than one of the extremes. Some just pretend to be homeless. Some really are. And really in need. Some will waste your money for alcohol and some need a warm sleeping bag to get through the night. There is probably more than meets the eye. And it's always difficult to tell.

But I get your interjection. Some people really think the homeless people should be kept out of sight so they themselves don't have to feel uncomfortable. That's disgusting.

[–] Devi@kbin.social 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I believe also with homeless people it’s more complicated than one of the extremes. Some just pretend to be homeless. Some really are. And really in need. Some will waste your money for alcohol and some need a warm sleeping bag to get through the night. There is probably more than meets the eye. And it’s always difficult to tell.

Nobody who is doing well is sitting outside in December begging for change. It's dehumanising. If someone is down on their luck and wants a beer to get through then it's not a waste.

Personally we have some good homeless charities around here so I tend to report them using an app which brings out volunteers to help them get supplies, a hostel, and benefits which is more money than I can spare, but if I have food or drink (including sometimes alcohol) going I usually donate that too.

It's important to put yourself in their shoes.

[–] rufus@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

I don't know how it is where you people all live. In big european cities it has happened that criminal networks force people to beg on the street. You're probably right that they are not well. Sometimes this involves human trafficking. But they're not the usual homeless people. The gangs will "recruit" for example amputees and people that get sympathy. The money usually doesn't stay with those people. It's organized crime and the money is taken from them. You ocassionally/rarely see dubious people when you visit a christmas market. Police cracks down on things like this but you can google a good amount of news articles on this.

However there are homeless people. And it'd be a shame if we stopped helping them because of this. But you also don't want to support criminals.

And I don't think it's the same in the US anyways. Social security, healthcare and everything is very different. So is what kind of organized crime we have around us.

[–] Devi@kbin.social 2 points 11 months ago

If people are being human trafficked they're not doing well.

This idea that all homeless people are fronts for gangs however is a right wing idea that rarely or never plays out. A gang can make money drug dealing, stealing cars, even petty theft, all are going to pay much higher amounts than sitting in the train station begging for change.

[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 0 points 11 months ago

Chill dude. You've made a lot of good points, throughout the thread, and I agree with you completely, but you're being an asshole. Nobody will pay you any attention when you insult them.