As I stepped off of the bus one evening this week, a middle-aged man asked me for a quarter because he was trying to get home.
I know what you might be thinking. He probably already asked a lot of people for a quarter. He might not even be trying to get home. But he was so polite, and I was in a good mood. So instead of giving him a quarter, I gave him all of my change.
He couldn’t thank me enough. He even shook my hand and introduced himself. His name was Willie.
“You know some people walk right by and won’t even look at you,” Willie said. “It’s like you’re not even there.”
It’s like you’re not even there.
I think that many times we dehumanize homeless people and people in need without even realizing it. There is a huge social stigma about homeless people. A lot of times we assume that they did this to themselves. We assume that they aren’t trying to help themselves. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people say things like, “Instead of begging for money and food they should be looking for a job.”
But there are a lot of reasons why these people can’t get a job.
Like not having the resources to be hired. Little working experience to put on a resume. Nowhere to make a resume and little knowledge on how to format a resume. No clean clothes to wear. The chances of getting a job are slim.
We can’t judge these people without knowing their story and their background. We don’t know how they got there. We don’t know that they aren’t trying to help themselves. We don’t know because a lot of the time, we completely ignore these people.
How would you feel if you were in need and crowds of people passed by without even a glance? How would you feel if you hadn’t eaten in days and no one would give you even a quarter?
Just take a second to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s the holiday season. Everyone’s in the spirit of giving, right? You’ve watched the Christmas decorations go up, you’ve passed by the stores with holiday sales and everyone seems to be in the holiday spirit, ready to go home and spend time with their families and friends. But you don’t have much family. You don’t have somewhere to go for the holidays and you’re not even sure if you’ll be eating on Christmas. And you’re cold. Yet, most people just walk right by you, minding their own business, going on with their day, not paying you much mind.
I’m not asking you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. I’m also not asking you to give away your money. I’m just asking that next time a person in need asks you for something, acknowledge them. If you can’t give, just tell them no. There’s no need to be rude, especially when the person hasn’t done anything to deserve that. There’s no need to ignore someone when all they’ve done is asked a simple question.
It is the holiday season, after all. While you’re making your shopping list and checking it twice, your friends and family are probably on your mind. But this season, remember to think of those less fortunate than you, also. And if you’re feeling extra generous, get rid of that pocket change. Donate your old coat. Buy someone a meal. Or just smile. Sometimes the smallest gesture can make all the difference in someone’s day and I’m telling you, karma is real. There’s a quote I found about the true meaning of Christmas that I think applies to anyone, no matter what your beliefs are.
“To give up one’s very self — to think only of others — how to bring the greatest happiness to others — that is the true meaning of Christmas.” -from The American Magazine (1889), a discontinued publication
As cheesy as this might sound, we’re all human and we’re all in this together.