Comment on Is it normal that I feel pretty bad for ignoring homeless people begging for money?
rufus@discuss.tchncs.de 4 months agoWell, 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.
Devi@kbin.social 4 months ago
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 4 months ago
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. They 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 taken from them.
However there are homeless people. And it’d be a shame if we stopped helping them because of this.
And I don’t think it’s the same in the US.
Devi@kbin.social 4 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.
rufus@discuss.tchncs.de 4 months ago
I’m completely with you on that. Criminals are also known for doing pickpocketing on christmas markets. All of that isn’t that big a problem where I live and this hasn’t happened to me, yet. But I know people. I think it’s obvious that seasonally crowded places are bound to attract some criminals. And all of that doesn’t really have to do anything with homeless people. But I will gladly rethink the stereotypes I heard and think about where I got that from. Sounds like something right-wing people would love to regurgitate.