Jetée

I agree that it is a farfetched method and an extreme alternative to just doling a few bills, but I posted it because I have actually witnessed it work. I don't believe I stated in my 'hypothetical situation' that the beggar would recieve any money from me at all; it is in reality, a crutch that serves to aid the individual that so happens to be brought about by spending some money. Hypothetically, I would only propose to the beggar an alternative to their current lifestyle. In my experience when living in NY, MD, and FL, I personally approached eight homeless men, women, and one teen if they would like an opportunity to work. Most said no right away and walked away, while a few made suspicious inquiries as to my motives, yet requested more iinformation. Of the nine approached, seven had actually submitted to some financial and supplementary aid within a period of five months. Of those seven, I have certain knowledge that five of them have rebuilt their lives and are faring quite well with their former/new families, while one is still struggling to obtain a steady grasp on a normal life again, yet it was only the one other homeless man who couldn't firmly regain a foothold on life, and subsequently passed away after relapsing on drugs. So, it would seem as though my method of total moral involvement as opposed to a mere fleeting gesture of pity towards the disadvantaged does not seem to be that ludicrous or naive. I have no disillusions about their situation and their perspective on life, but to deny them the opportunity to work to regain what was lost to them, all the while having concerned citizens there to support them along the way, well... I could not stand to take such an apathetic approach.

This was merely used as a 'for instance' example that if said "bum" could gain some useful skills in life that were denied to him because of how modern society negatively views him, then he could perhaps stand a chance to shake off the yoke of impoverishment that he has been burdened with for so long. I'm sure that a bum who can do five tricks as opposed to none will eventually be the given opportunity for something better by applying greater resources.

Oh, well.. that is only my approach to the communities in which I have lived.
I do it because I was once in that very situation when I was a child myself, when no one else would turn a blind eye towards me and stop to even exchange a simple pleasantry. If not for the kindness, generosity, and compassion of our fellow man, I would not be here to debate the situational "what-if" occurence of encountering yet another panhandler.




These are the life lessons that have become instilled
within my character after numerous ground-shattering
yet enlightening experiences within my own life.
...Or... perhaps, I am just that naive.

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As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves.

—Mohandas K. Gandhi