GrodsCorp

Usefulness

Wednesday 23 April 2008, 4:22 pm

Bron

Categories: Life, Religion, Society, Sydney

Tags: homelessness, preaching

Every afternoon during my lunchhour, I walk past a young homeless guy, in his mid-20’s or thereabouts, sitting cross-legged against a window shop window, a little hat in front of him, and begging for a “spare dollar” from people who rush past him, pretending not to notice, see or hear him.

I am guilty of being one of those people, and it makes me feel like shit. I go through phases where I cannot decide whether it’s wise to give the homeless a “spare dollar” or whether it’s better to donate money to a homeless shelter, soup van, etc. At the moment, I’ve been going through the phase thinking that it’s better to donate to a charity. You know, so that “at least I know where my money is going”.

But I also know that in many cases, money that is donated is still not reaching certain people, people who may not go to charities for assistance, or where charities are unable to reach them, for whatever reasons.

However, I would certainly say that giving a “spare dollar” to the guy near my office is much better than the idiots who regularly give him religious tracts — usually from Jehovah’s Witnesses. Sometimes tracts from the dreadful Chick Publications are given to him (yes, I watch everything, as the guy sitting next to me on the train last week should have realised). Other times I’ve noticed the poor dude holding literature from the Scientologists.

This afternoon was no different. The Mormons who prowl on my street were looking down at the homeless dude, talking and pushing shit into his hands, no doubt exhorting that God loves him and wants the best for him. Or something.

Did they give him a “spare dollar”? Of course not. Just like I haven’t. But shit, I don’t give him useless crap like religious proselytising and cheap paper with smudgy ink and coloured drawings of an adult Jesus looking rather solemn.

Today, I stopped to ask him if he ever found the literature thrust into his hands useful. He replied, “Yeah, I use ‘em for toilet paper cos the paper is usually soft enough.”

Well, it made me laugh. He told me about some of the kooky stuff that’s been said from people witnessing to him. As he said, “All I want is a couple of dollars so I can buy something to eat for dinner tonight.” He was utterly sincere. You have to meet him and talk to him to know he wasn’t just trying to get money for booze or drugs or whatever. And he was cold, with the bitter wind whipping up the street, making him shiver underneath his thin jumper.

From now on, I’m going to give him a “spare dollar” when I see him, to make up for the useless, pointless and altogether unhelpful religious preaching about how he can made “whole again in the love and light of our Lord Jesus, Saviour.” I don’t mean to sound like a martyr, but fuck, in this day and age and in this modern city, why are the young and old still freezing and hungry and homeless? And why do religious groups think it’s OK to push Jesus’s message of caring for the poor, without following his own message, one of which was:

“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

I am not a Christian, but I know what the Christian message is, and I know that the Jesus these Christians apparently follow had a special concern for poor and suppressed people. Far as I know, Jesus never gave a shit about tracts and preaching and being “saved” anyway. His first concern was looking after “God’s people”.

What’s a measley dollar, anyway?

UPDATE:

I would like to see one those tract-pushing dealers wear this t-shirt:

54 Comments

keri (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 4:45 pm) #

Hurrah, Bron.

Half my family works in related areas - specifically in aged care for homeless people, who generally become more marginalised as they get older.

If every person saved one dollar a day for just one month, saved it up and bought every homeless person a jumper, or a rug, or even a decent meal, think how much better things would be.

Me, I donate to soup kitchens, and charities I know aren’t gobbling up the funds on administrative costs, give change when I have it and try and have information to hand on shelters with spare places so when I see a homeless person or someone who needs somewhere to go I can help them. But it’s just a drop in the ocean compared to what needs to be done.
Bron (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 4:50 pm) #

Good for you, Keri. I have to admit, every autumn I knit one scarf, because that’s all I can do when it comes to making clothes — and it takes me ALL autumn to knit ONE freakin’ scarf (dropped stitches are a bloody pain in the arse). But if one person can get some warmth from my silly scarf that winter, then that’s better than nothing.

And you’re so right, whatever we do is just a drop in the ocean compared to what needs to be done.
Jeremy (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 4:59 pm) #

I prefer to buy them the meal directly - as in take them into the cafe or whatever and pay the staff for the meal - because then you know at least the money is going to feed them and not make their problems worse.
Terry Wright (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 5:07 pm) #

Good post Bron.

Years ago when I use to hitch hike a lot, I would be so grateful that now I always pick up hitch hikers (mostly anyway). Same when I was into junk in a big way, I would sometimes be $5 -10 short and ask people on the street. I was so grateful that now I give $5-10 even if I think it’s for drugs. The poor old homeless druggie not only needs money for drugs but will need to find money for food as well. Believe me, it is not nice hanging for drugs but I can’t imagine being hungry as well.
Bron (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 5:17 pm) #

Jeremy, once I would have agreed with you there. But the girl who sells the Big Issue magazine on my block once told me it’s very patronising to think that your “benefactor” didn’t trust you enough to merely give you a few dollars, that all beggars must be junkies and/or alcoholics, when they’re not.

She pointed out that by being taken to a cafe under someone’s watchful, distrusting eye would make that person feel like a criminal and judged.

She said that if you didn’t want to give them cash, the best thing to do would be to buy food beforehand and give it to them then.

It certainly was something for me to think about, because I realised that I had judged all the “beggars” as the same, and without realising it, I also judged them all to be hopeless with money (ie buying drugs instead of food, that sort of thing).
templemonkey (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 5:27 pm) #

I dont tend to give money directly, but I have worked in soup vans.

I have seen what I can only term ‘predation’ by religious groups of those who have fallen through the system. Many of those missionaries at street level do seem vaguely sincere but this needs to be weighed up against the organisations they represent.

The Salvation Army, for instance, is an organisation that zealously backs right wing political parties expressly because they oppose goverment services being extended to the poor. It seems crazy but they put peoples welfare a distant second to some crazed notion of being seen as ‘the caring ones’ in some sort of turf war.

Anyway, depressing though it was, I felt that my efforts with the soup van accomplished much more than someone peddling afterlife insurance.
spuddgunner (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 5:53 pm) #

Nice Work, Bron.

Has the church ever really been about aiding the poor or appearing to aid the poor so as to enter the gates of ‘heaven’? Cynical, and I know there are religion driven organisations who do actually provide selfless care but I cannot help but think the majority of theological-do-gooders are really doing it for their own personal salvation or to salve personal guilt - which is not ok - why not just go home and self flagelate instead of insulting the poor?
Looking at pictures of families picking through rubbish tips in Haiti for food this week made me question our morality on a broader scale…bio fuel for our ~enviro friendly cars of the future~ displacing food crops …all pretty fucked up. Rampant consumerism is it’s own religion.

The scientologists proved their idiocy in your example, Bron…how the hell (no pun intended) is that bloke gonna tithe his income? pound of flesh?
joe2 (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 6:19 pm) #

Judgement free giving is hard to do, but well worthwhile. It would be great if you could donate to organisations who look after the needy that are truly secular. They seem a bit thin on the ground.

How bad it must be, if you are down and out, to be bombarded by those who know what is best for you. Terry Wright, yep, even if it’s money for drugs.
Jeremy (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 6:24 pm) #

Uh, it’s already patronising when you’re asking them for money. There’s nothing respectful about that relationship to start with.

I don’t hang around and watch them eat! I just go with them to the counter, they order, I pay and then leave them to it.
Terry Wright (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 6:38 pm) #

I don’t hang around and watch them eat! I just go with them to the counter, they order, I pay and then leave them to it.

I can see ;;;; paying for a lunch just so he can sit and talk to someone who doesn’t know him. I can guarantee that it will only take 15 minutes before the poor homeless dude is making excuses just to get the fuck out of there … whether the food’s finished or not.

The again I wouldn’t be surprised if ;;; isn’t the one asking for money so he can treat his family to Maccas.
Lang (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 6:43 pm) #

“When the neighbours find religion,it’s time to brand the calves”.
joe2 (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 6:56 pm) #

Jeremy, i would have thought it pretty demeaning if someone paid for my feed, then headed out the door.

Though, mind you, which Café are we talking about here? I might be available next ,Tuesday, at around seven/evening.
krypto (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 7:09 pm) #

It’s a complex issue that’s for sure, I must admit I’m inclined to agree with Jeremy. There is an obvious power imbalance when someone is begging for money in the first place.
Of course there are a good many issues which can contribute to a person finding themselves homeless, it’s a little naive to think that drug and alcohol addiction isn’t a contributing factor in a majority of cases though.
How do you know that the money you give a beggar “for food/ bus fare/ a cup of coffee” won’t buy the fit that kills them?
Short answer, there’s no way of knowing that.

There are a lot more pro-active positive steps you can make to contribute to helping the homeless than giving a buck to one guy.
You obviously read “Big Issue” and that’s a start, but you’d be a lot better off to find a reputable charity and volunteer time or donate food or money to them.

I’ve had the experience in the past of being approached by a person who asked me for money, I offered to buy them food and it quickly became an attempted mugging type scenario.
Clearly the money wasn’t intended to buy food in the first instance.
It’s highly commendable of you to take the issue seriously enough to think through the implications of your response to it.
Bron (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 7:58 pm) #

Yeah, I don’t disagree with you Jeremy and krypto. I guess it also boils down to the personality you’re dealing with (or whether the person wants money for “food” — or something else, as per krypto’s comment).

I, for example, would be thinking:

Sheesh, it’s humiliating enough having to ask for money for food - honestly, for food - and now this guy wants to escort me to a cafe and make sure that I’m not spending his money on drugs or alcohol. I don’t need this extra embarrassment on top of my day-to-day barely-surviving existence.

That’s just me (with a healthy dose of pride, probably). Others might not think the same, though.

Tricky one, all the same.
Wah (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 8:02 pm) #

You can’t buy drugs with religion and faith in God. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ gives you a better high than any narcotic and I think it’s good that these religious people make this filthy person see the errors of his ways, repent and embark on a life devoted to Jahova.

HA, JUST KIDDING!

This junkie asked me for money once “to buy food”. I had just bought lunch and offered her a bag with a couple of dim sims. She told me to “get fucked four-eyes”.
brerrabbit (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 8:58 pm) #

Years ago, I went to the Reconciliation March in Melbourne.
There was a huge crowd of people - well intentioned, good people, going to march for Reconciliation - surging down Swanston St.
There was a group of homeless men, sitting in a row outside the Cathedral.
As I passed, I looked across at one of them, smiled at him and said,”Good morning.”
There was no response…then, when I was almost out of range, he called “Good morning” back.
I realised then that he had been too taken aback to reply to me - that, of all those well meaning, good intentioned people that day, I was the only one who acknowledged him as a human being.
Still worries me.
E Rogenous (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 9:11 pm) #

I too think that its best to give food to beggars who want money to eat, but must admit that I’m lazy and would only bother giving them food if I actually had it on me.

When we were travelling in India I gave a beggar a bunch of bananas that I had in my bag and he threw them back at me. Beggars can’t be choosers, I say! … plus I didn’t want to encourage the begging “industry”, if you could call it that, in India.
Bron (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 9:15 pm) #

I would too, Wah, if offered a couple of dim sims!! Heh.

You’re right about getting a high with Jesus. Seen those Pentecostals being slain by the ghost?! Woah.
Damian (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 10:34 pm) #

I’m with Jeremy on this one. I know an old coot in Darlinghurst who used to love it when I drunkenly stumbled by with the spare Indian take-away meals I’d bought for him and his mate. It may have been patronising - I’m out blowing my cash on grog and all I give them is a snack - but he and I were both happy with the arrangement at the time.
Jack Dorf (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 10:40 pm) #

“If you can afford it, give it.
It could be you in a few years.”

My Mum.
Bron (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 10:53 pm) #

Hey, no one has argued against giving the homeless food, per se, in lieu of money, Damian. It was more a question of whether it’s OK (or not) to actually take them to a cafe for a feed - bit of a difference there. I’ve given food to homeless people, but I’m not sure about taking them to a cafe, particularly after what the gal who sells the Big Issue pointed out to me. Sure, it doesn’t apply to everyone, of course.

See, this is the kind of moral battle I have with myself all the time — do I give money and if so, where is it going? Or should I give money and let them deal with it? Or should I go and buy some food and come back and give it to them?

It’s just that after today, I’m now thinking give them a “spare dollar” and hope that they spend it in a way that will NOT elevate some of their misery.

Anyway. Your mum is cool, Jack Dorf.
Mikey (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 11:19 pm) #

I don’t mind if its honest and up front eg food. It’s the ones that couch it in ‘I need X for the bus’ terms and when you give it to them right in front of you ask someone for the same even though you gave them enough for the bus.

Mind you - that’s the minority and it tends to be young men who appear not to be homeless that do it
Jeremy (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 11:23 pm) #

Elevate their misery, Bron?

Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. If it will alleviate the suspicion that I’m a smartarse, I’ll shut the hell up now.
Bron (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 11:25 pm) #

Yeah, that does shit me too, Mikey. That’s one reason why for ages I just stopped giving out a dollar or bus fare when asked. I’d look back over my shoulder and see them asking someone else, and get annoyed.

Hey mister, you said you needed enough money for the bus fare, and I gave it to you. How many bus fares do you need?!
Bron (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 11:26 pm) #

ARGH!!!!

Well-spotted, Jeremy, you bastard.
Ray Dixon (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 11:28 pm) #

It’s just that after today, I’m now thinking give them a “spare dollar” and hope that they spend it in a way that will elevate some of their misery.

Spot on Bron and well done. They’re asking for money not food or to be led patronisingly to a cafe where the ‘benefactor’ big notes himself/herself and then leaves. Just give them a dollar, a kind word and a smile. I’m sure you do.
Bron (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 11:30 pm) #

And that should be “not elevate”, Ray!! Thank smarty-bum Jeremy for noticing my boo-boo. I’ve edited my comment with the glaringly big mistake.

Oh the shame. How can I ever show my face around here again.
Ray Dixon (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 11:37 pm) #

Never mind, I knew what you meant Bron (i.e. alleviate). Your message was clear enough and you obviously have a good heart.
Bron (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 11:40 pm) #

Yeah, try telling that to my Mum!!

(Thanks Ray)
Terry Wright (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 11:50 pm) #

Bron: Yeah, try telling that to my Mum!!

I’m sure your Mum loves you very much Bron … We do.
Bron (Wednesday 23 April 2008, 11:54 pm) #

Aw golly gosh, please stop or I’ll start crying and demand a group hug!
Damian (Thursday 24 April 2008, 1:06 am) #

Bron, dem’s big questions (elevation aside). There are correlations with the issue of humanitarian aid, too, like Australia giving money to PNG or someone and deciding whether or not we should attach conditions to it and what those conditions should be.

I see the distinction between providing food and accompanying someone into a cafe. I’ve done the “walk in” before - into a pub for cheap steak and veg - and did my best not to make it look like I was shouting the bloke. I even left him a couple of extra bob so he could grab a drink in his own time. Still, the patronising thing was in the back of the mind.

Has anyone ever had someone ask them for a dollar so they can get a burger at ;;;;’s Scottish restaurant? Now there’s an ethical dilemma. Sometimes, when faced with a situation that can cause stress and lead to thoughts of violence, I try to imagine that I am a piece of wood.

When a bloke in a smart trackie outfit, with a durrie in one hand a coffee in the other, approached me for two bucks for some Maccas in Ashfield one day, I tried to be a piece of wood.

It didn’t work. I wanted to pick up the piece of wood and deck him.

(Note, I was only days home from a trip to Laos where I had seen some pretty harsh poverty. I was still suffering reverse culture shock - and to some extent I think I still am.)

What the fuck was this comment about, anyway? Back to work, I think, and another coffee.
Bron (Thursday 24 April 2008, 1:11 am) #

I don’t know what that comment was about, Damian, although I understood every word of it (and agree). But beware, you’re probably being WatchWatched too, for wanting to deck someone. I can almost sense lights being shone into your dark corners.
Damian (Thursday 24 April 2008, 1:15 am) #

The piece of wood sums it up for me.

Here I am, a lefty latte-sipper who sings Kumba-fucken-ya all the time, yet I am also FULL OF HATE and all that. It’s bloody hard work living up to this whole lefty stereotype.
Bron (Thursday 24 April 2008, 1:20 am) #

Yes, because lefties are HYPOCRITES, dontcha know?
lemmiwinks (Thursday 24 April 2008, 10:52 am) #

You could try giving him a nice sandwich?
joe2 (Thursday 24 April 2008, 12:01 pm) #

This is an interesting one Bron because it highlights where we seem to be moving in regards to social welfare, generally…..judgement and food stamps. The American model and attitudes have been allowed to creep in, rodent like.
albi (Thursday 24 April 2008, 12:03 pm) #

I was once asked for change by a deviant, to which I responded by spilling my chai latte in his lap.

In all seriousness, great work, Bron! We need more caring people.

*hugs*
Bron (Thursday 24 April 2008, 12:47 pm) #

You could try giving him a nice sandwich?

I could, but if it’s anything like the sandwich I had just now, he’s going to suffer from onion breath for the rest of the day. Not fair, I say. Give him money!
Bron (Thursday 24 April 2008, 12:52 pm) #

The American model and attitudes have been allowed to creep in, rodent like.

Good point, joe2. I finished reading Deer Hunting with Jesus by Joe Bageant recently, and he gives quite a strong argument about the mentality in current American society — particularly among those of the working class — that asking for “handouts” and other charity is a big NO-NO, fostered by (who else?) the right-wing side of politics and economists.

Excellent read. And rather funny too.
Bron (Thursday 24 April 2008, 12:54 pm) #

In all seriousness, great work, Bron! We need more caring people.

*hugs*

Oh stop, or I’ll start bawling my eyes out again. I’m sleep deprived as it is, and am likely to start hugging random people. Who needs eccy when one is sleep deprived?!
krypto (Thursday 24 April 2008, 1:55 pm) #

E Rogenous, begging is big buisiness in India and blurs the underlying seriousness of the problem of poverty there.
Believe it or not, anyone can make a living begging in places like Calcutta, you don’t have to be poor at all. Of course because it’s all tax free income, organised crime is involved and kick backs are rife there,and it helps if you have some kind of physical defect to tug on the heartstrings of susceptable tourists.
It’s not uncommon to see a “beggar” clock off, discard their sack-cloth and ashes for normal attire and go home.
It’s a disgrace and it makes it even harder for people who are genuinely impoverished to get by and not be considered a fraud.
They are more likely to be dying unseen in some back alley completely exsanguinated after having sold their last drop of blood to one of the “private blood banks” India is so famous for.
Lovely huh?
Ant Rogenous (Thursday 24 April 2008, 2:34 pm) #

I know, its awful to think how “poverty” is abused in India. I have also heard how some people would purposely maim children as they will bring in more money that way. Again, I refused to give money to them on principle!

* Bron - the Rogenous household can speak at length about the effects of sleep deprivation. When you lose your glasses five times a day, put your keys in the freezer and fall asleep breastfeeding you know you’re sleep deprived!! hehe.
E Rogenous (Thursday 24 April 2008, 2:35 pm) #

Whoops… that previous post was from me. I’m on Ant’s computer and didn’t realise I was logged on as him!
Bron (Thursday 24 April 2008, 2:42 pm) #

Goodness, E! I’m certainly glad you clarified that it was you posting under Ant’s moniker. I was nearly horrified to think he could be breastfeeding the little bubs. *shudder*

I have to ask you though - how the heck does one leave keys in the freezer?!
Ant Rogenous (Thursday 24 April 2008, 2:44 pm) #

… put your keys in the freezer …

Not to mention the frozen chicken neck I tried to start the car with this morning.
Dave from Albury (Thursday 24 April 2008, 2:45 pm) #

I have to ask you though - how the heck does one leave keys in the freezer?!

The same way that you leave ice cream in the microwave.
keri (Thursday 24 April 2008, 2:51 pm) #

I do stuff like that and I don’t even have sleep deprivation as an excuse. Every day I lose my glasses at least a dozen times, and I could quite happily fall asleep standing up most days.

God knows what I’d be like with a toddler around. I’d probably try and breatfeed the keys and put the baby in the freezer.
Bron (Thursday 24 April 2008, 2:52 pm) #

That’s it. I’m never having kids.
spuddgunner (Thursday 24 April 2008, 4:00 pm) #

What actually happens is you breastfeed the freezer and unlock the kids. That sounded creepier than I meant it to.
Terry Wright (Thursday 24 April 2008, 5:26 pm) #

What can I say?

I think you’ve said it all when it comes to glasses, sleep deprivation, keys, freezers, toddlers, frozen chicken necks, ice cream, microwaves, breastfeeding and the Rogenous family unit.
Mikey (Thursday 24 April 2008, 10:31 pm) #

I HATE Chick Tracts. Though that being said the Dark Dungeons one is esp hilarious. I didn’t know that by playing D&D I had actual powers of mind control that I used to convince people to er buy … um … more D&D books.

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0046/0046_01.asp
Mikey (Thursday 24 April 2008, 10:33 pm) #

Check out the “Straight Talk”

You can’t make this shit up. Oh wait, they did…

http://www.chick.com/articles/dnd.asp
Bron (Thursday 24 April 2008, 10:38 pm) #

Haha, yep, they’re insane, the Chicks. I sometimes check out their website just for fun.

Fun, because it’s just so ridiculous and bigotted and awful that it defies belief that they’re for real.