Life From The Bottom
- Nigel Palmer
- Feb 1, 2017
- 2 min read
Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty
-Mother Teresa
Photo by Huffington Post's Eleanor Goldberg
Have you ever wanted to give to someone who was in an unfortunate situation, but you just didn't have the means to? How are you supposed to feel if you don't give anything to help someone living in poverty? Can you be angry at a complete stranger for not wanting to help someone in need? I can ask a million questions. I can say that I didn't give to the man because I didn't have any cash.I can assume there was a reason that the other people blatantly ignored the homeless man.
On Saturday, January 28, I was walking through Downtown New Orleans, just buying some clothes. It was a while since I brought some new clothes and I thought it was a good of time as any to splurge on myself. As I walked out of Urban Outfitters, there was a homeless man asking for money. Walking next to me were two older women. They were walking at a steady pace until the man asked for money. That's when they began to speed walk as if they were working out. "Can you help me out please, everyone needs help some time," pleaded the man. The ladies ignored him and walked even faster as he walked behind them pleading his case. Although the man didn't directly address me for assistance, I felt guilty for not giving, even if I didn't have any to give on hand. I empathized with the man. He was alone and was denied a moment of conversation by two strangers who were clearly fortunate enough to at least acknowledge his presence.
Homelessness has to come to an end. On January 7, 2015, New Orleans became the first U.S city to effectively end homelessness among military veterans, but that's not where it ends. This is just the beginning of the race. We all have to play our part, no matter how small it is, to help out people in need. It should be in everyone's nature to give back and to be a leader in our community to advocate for those in need. No one wants to be alone, especially when you don't have anything.
Comments