- Lise Quintana
- Boulder Creek, CA
- United States
This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
How do you give lasting help to those who most need it?
If you see a man passed out drunk at the side of the road, or a woman in distress in the street, what can a person do, right then and there, to give meaningful help? Give money? Take them home and feed them? Give them a job somewhere? Does that even work? So many people are suffering as institutional systems to help them break down, but what can ordinary people do to fill in that gap? So many people are suffering for very complex reasons that a single meal or a day's wages can't solve, and a mere kind word can't even touch, and I believe that's one reason why so few people even try to effect a change, and yet our economy is throwing more people into this situation by the day.
What can we do right now for the next person we see suffering that would be truly meaningful?
Craig Patterson 10+
I know you mean well and do good. However when you take part of a thought/concept and not the whole, its problematic if you will get it right. My statement is, "Although extending a helping hand to the needy is a direct act of compassion, it doesn't do a thing toward changing the structural inequities that abound in our country."
So please tell me how your helping hand changes the structural inequalities of which I speak. Assuming you understand the structural inequalities in the first place.
A perspective. When I grew up and came of age there were no beggars on the streets. Then in 1967-68 I went to India with College. One saw beggars everywhere including people who may not have lived through the night. Now in America, just 42 years later one sees people begging on many street corners in most cities everyday right here. So tell me how the personal kindness is impacting the larger dynamics that seemingly go unnoticed or unchecked?
Colleen Steen 500+
I read your previous comment very carefully, several times, and I'm sorry if I did not "get it right".
I do understand the "structural inequalities", and as I wrote, "each and every "helping hand" is part of the whole". As part of the whole, we can change the "structural inequalities" together...in my humble opinion.
I too notice beggers on the streets and I don't think it goes "unnoticed" by some of us.
Craig Patterson 10+
Although extending a helping hand to the needy is a direct act of compassion, it doesn't do a thing toward changing the structural inequities that abound in our country. Without dealing directly with the cause (too much greed at the top) the effects of dealing with one needy person at a time will be overrun by the greedy 1%.
We need structural change in the tax code, in the use of deductions and shelters and most fundamentally in what we culturally believe constitutes 'success'. There is a direct connection between the poor and the rich that must be brought to light and changed. Until then, all the feel good acts of personal kindness are valiant and kind but do nothing in changing the context of the problem. We need structural changes at the source/core.
Until then, little will change.
Colleen Steen 500+
Each and every "helping hand" is part of the whole. When we say "it doesn't do a thing toward changing", we are reinforcing the existing reality.
"The effects of dealing with one needy person at a time"...is NEVER overrun by anything, in my opinion. Each and every act of compassion and/or "help" we can offer, is valuable, even if for only one person.
It is thoughts like the ones you express Craig, that keep people immobilized. Thoughts like...whatever I do will be overrun by something else...it doesn't do a thing...whatever I do won't matter...etc. etc. etc. If we, as individuals can encourage and support one person, it is valuable to that person, and to the whole.
You say Craig..."Until then, all the feel good acts of personal kindness are valiant and kind but do nothing in changing the context of the problem". I don't agree with that. I am part of the structure, and as an individual, I have seen many changes in the systems I have been involved with for many years. Each and every one of us is part of the systems, and if each and every one of us sit back and wait for others to change the systems, then you're absolutely right Craig...nothing will change. Be the change we want to see in our world.
Colleen Steen 500+
"Giving people resources is a short term (but sometime necessary)...approach".
And..."The best way to help them is to prep them to help themselves..."
I believe it helps to be aware of each individual's situation and balance our "help" in a way that may support them in the short term AND long term. If we continue to simply give them resources, we actually take away their ability to support and sustain themselves, and that is disempowering and controling.
So many times, while talking with women on the hotline of a shelter for abused women, I wanted to simply go pick the person up at her house and bring her to the shelter or my home (which was also used as a safe house) because I wanted her to be safe. However, I knew that action would be controling, and not empowering her to make her own choices. The best thing I could do for that person at the time, was listen to her particular story, provide information as to what her choices were, encourage, verbally support her in her quest, and be there when/if she made choices to pursue more "help".
We really need to listen carefully to those we are trying to "help", and provide whatever they need to support them in the short and long term.
Amily shaw 10+
Peter Emer
Lise Quintana
Peter Emer
And with today's things, i would say if someone is specialized in a specific area, they should be afraid to travel to different parts of the world to find work. I mean i understand the fear, but with the right connections (as in forming international friendships) it could work out.