YHeartNY? Frankly it can be hard to heart sometimes…
How can you walk by a man sleeping on the street while you’re rushing for your $5 footlong? How can there be a man sleeping on the sidewalk (within the 12 inches of dry that the awning in front of a store in Midtown Manhattan affords) without ANYONE lending a hand?!
Is it OK to offer him a slice of pizza? Is that rude; considering he isn’t asking for anything? Isn’t there a city agency that’s responsible for taking care of him? Shouldn’t there be one that actually does their job?
On the other hand, is it fair for me to work 12+ hours a day just to make sure that I’m not in his position – and then shell out a piece of what I earn to cover his ass? Has he tried looking for a job… ever? Did he work his way through school just to get an entry level job that hardly pays?
But, is it his fault if he’s mentally ill? Most of the homeless in NYC are mentally ill, in one form or another. Is it his fault he’s a drunk or druggie? Addiction is a serious disease.
I sure as shit don’t know the answer but I guess it’s a part of NY…heart it or not!
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July 22nd, 2009 at 6:42 pm
It’s most definitely hard to heart. Especially when its in front of your own store and you have to get rid of him. But I digress, this is a tragic reality of the big citay is that its the easiest place to panhandle, find a meal, place to sleep, and a network of others in your position to learn from. Living off the grid isn’t even totally off the grid when it’s city homelessness. These guys have cellphones, wifi…. just no place to call home that looks like a home rather than a sidewalk or storefront.