Most People Ignored This Homeless Man...

[daredtowork]

18. Wow that was terrific!

I liked that he also showed the people trying to remove him from the area.

If you are financially secure, you may perceive beggars as "eyesores", "annoyances", and even potential threats (businesses often try to say that "women" don't feel "safe" to walk in the area). So you try to Disnify your surroundings and shove beggars out of your territory. But downtown areas with a lot of shoppers and heavy concentrations of people are also where a beggar is most likely to get money. How is a beggar supposed to get donations from an empty street out in the 'burbs?

If there is a law preventing beggars from being in commercial areas, the police will remove them. But I hope people aren't cruel enough to pass such laws. Because with the collapse of welfare since the 80s, begging is part of what people do to support themselves. Sure some are scammers. Some may be trying to get money for drugs. You should use your judgment before you give. We all agree it would be better to for people not to have to resort to begging. But the system forces people to do this.

In Oakland, welfare is $336/month for 3 months out of the year if you are not disabled. For people who live in the area: think about the current going rate for a room. Think about utilities, transportation, all the basic necessities you need besides food (which can usually be covered by food stamps if you're poor enough for general assistance welfare). If you earn anything, it doesn't top up the $336 (which is just a loan in the first place) - it gets subtracted from the $336. Now you do the survival math.

There is prostitution. Criminal activity. Begging. Which one do you choose?