As an individual in this society you are either in the loop of pampered people or out of the loop of pampered people. Homeless people, I regret to say, are some of the few that are out. Most people look upon the homeless as a lower class or lower-level society. This is because of many reasons, some of these reasons are apparent but others are not so clear-cut. An obvious reason, to some, to establish the homeless as lower-level is because of their suspected danger level, another is there alleged inability to find a job due to laziness (a nurture perspective), and yet another because of their lack of money due to the lack of a job.
Every time that I pass a homeless person on the street, I don't even give them the time of day. I know that this is a very judgmental attitude that I have, but it is just the way I was brought up. Every time, in childhood, when I would pass a panhandler, my mom would say "don't look at him" or "keep walking he is very dangerous". I know now that homeless people are no more dangerous then anyone else. Now, mind you, there are very dangerous panhandlers, but there are also very dangerous people that own homes. Just because someone is without a home does not mean he or she is more likely to commit a crime. However, it is an engraved bias or prejudice in my mind, and it will take years to get the thought out of my mind.
I like the quote "today is the first day of the rest of my life," and I believe it applies perfectly to this situation. Last weekend I took a drive on Broadway. Let me tell you, if you are looking for panhandlers, look no further then Broadway. Of the many sign-holding homeless on the street on this Sunday, I decided to give a few some cash. The first person was a woman with a sign that stated, "need money to feed kids," I gave her the benefit of the doubt. After placing a few dollars in her hand, and in return receiving a very warm smile and also a thank you, I went on to give a few others, with very similar posters, some money as well.
