Irksome Things

We’ve all had our experiences with homeless people at one point or another in our lives. I guess I can say that I’ve had quiet a bit since I decided to work at the YWCA for a whole year (a battered women’s shelter) right after I graduated from college. I must say that my perspective has changed dramatically after working day after day for people who were 90% ungrateful and oblivious to the services meant to improve their lives to the point of self-empowerment and eventual self-sufficiency.

Last week my husband and I went shopping at my favorite store, the Desert Industries thrift store. Out in front of the entrance sat a young homeless man. I have no problem ignoring those that ask me for money but I have an excessively kind husband. The conversation went something like this,

Homeless guy (he put on an especially sad face to gain more sympathy): “Hey do ya got any money?”

My husband: “Sorry, I don’t carry cash”

Me: Thinking ‘is he really begging for money in front of the D.I and why the heck does my husband feel obligated to tell this stranger the reason why he can’t give him money?’ “Hun lets GO!”

Homeless guy: “I bet you guys have a fridge full of food!”

Me: Half way between the open door thinking, ‘ so does the Road Home, The Crossroads center, The Salvation Army and the Bishops Storehouse…you’re downtown the Mecca of free services to the homeless!’

He managed to ruffle my husbands’ feathers (which by the way aren’t easily ruffled)
My husband: “Yeah because we WORK 40-60 hours a week!”

Me: Motioning and calling to my husband to come inside already ‘do we really want to spend our time arguing with this stranger?

After purchasing the items we were looking for, we headed towards the door hoping the homeless guy had sought out a better destination to beg for money. He still sat there staring, as we walked by he said “Back to the Suburbs”.

I have issues with people who don’t want to work. Sure, I have my days when I don’t but I do it because it’s a necessary means of survival. I can go on and on about how I feel about the socialized programs that our new president plans to implement but I’m sure we are all tired of hearing about politics.

FYI: I received several “congratulations… someone of color like yourself has been elected to the highest office in America!” phone calls. Yes, history has been made in America by our first African-American president. However, I did not vote based on race, but who would get the job done. Now that Obama is our president, I support him I hope that he will make good changes in America.