Ask HN: How do you deal with abject poverty around you?
1 comments
My policy is to never judge and to simply give, no matter how "undeserving" I initially perceive the person to be. Provided that I'm in a position to give, of course.
The correctness of this policy was confirmed a few summers ago when I came across a man who feebly held a cardboard sign asking for money. He was slumped over on the steps of a bank. I had just given $20 to another beggar and had only $20 left to my name.
As I approached the man, resentment started building up inside of me. I was thinking 'if he wants money, he should at least hold up his sign properly'. He seemed apathetic and lazy. He seemed undeserving. That is, until I saw his face. He was crying and his expression was of a defeated man. I'll never forget that look. It broke my heart. I gladly gave him my last $20 bill and felt terrible that I had judged him so harshly.
I give those in need the benefit of the doubt and help when I can. It's the easier and kinder thing to do.
The correctness of this policy was confirmed a few summers ago when I came across a man who feebly held a cardboard sign asking for money. He was slumped over on the steps of a bank. I had just given $20 to another beggar and had only $20 left to my name.
As I approached the man, resentment started building up inside of me. I was thinking 'if he wants money, he should at least hold up his sign properly'. He seemed apathetic and lazy. He seemed undeserving. That is, until I saw his face. He was crying and his expression was of a defeated man. I'll never forget that look. It broke my heart. I gladly gave him my last $20 bill and felt terrible that I had judged him so harshly.
I give those in need the benefit of the doubt and help when I can. It's the easier and kinder thing to do.
The whole episode has got me confused from an ethics standpoint. I feel I am a lucky person and probably should give more charity. At the same time, I don't want to encourage such unacceptable behavior .. especially in a teenager who has his whole life in front of him. What was the right thing to do in such a situation?
In retrospect, I should have asked him for something in exchange for the food. Maybe do a quick errand for me. E.g. buy me gum or give me a napkin. Try to impress on him that he had something of value to give. Maybe I should not think so much and ignore aggressive begging. I am very confused and in some pain. Are there ethical principles to guide me here?