Do You Think Homeless People Are Dangerous?

I suddenly realized something today. I don't feel very safe around homeless people. And that got me to wondering why? I mean, they're pretty much just people like the rest of us. Yeah, some of them are big time drunks and addicts, and maybe even spent a night or two in jail. But not all. And some of them have serious mental health issues. But not all. So how come I always hurry up and give a homeless person a dollar if they approach me, but won't let myself listen to them when they try and get a conversation going? I mean, I always say that I am totally late for an appointment or whatever. And give them a polite brush off. Have you ever done this sorta thing yourself? And do you ever wonder why?

So since there are always two or three homeless folks in front of the Safeway where I shop, I'm gonna try something. The next time somebody homeless tries to talk to me, I'm gonna listen for a change. And try to treat them with the dignity and respect that everybody deserves. Because it shouldn't have to be a crime to be poor and homeless. Especially in America. So why do so many of us avoid homeless people like they are dangerous or something? Have you ever really thought about it?

Peace,

PD

 

PD, I think it's great you've become aware of your behaviours and have decided to make a change. Well done. Do I feel safe around the homeless? Not always, no. But I don't always feel safe around people I run into on the street, homeless or otherwise...strangers make me uncomfortable. But there's this whole media-projected stereotype that tells us that homeless people are crazy and dangerous.. so of course we're going to believe it - if you hear things often enough, sometimes you start to believe them.

 

It seems like you're setting up a strawman argument so you can knock it down. Of course NOT ALL homeless people are dangerous or violent or demented or sick. But no one made the claim that they were.

Something is responsible for people being homeless. Often it is mental illness or drug/alcohol addiction. We all know that there are some people who end up homeless because of a lost job, but those are the ones who usually end up getting back on their feet before long.

But the homeless who are that way because they're mentally ill, they may very well be a threat to passersby. There was a homeless dude in NYC who picked up a huge paver brick and smashed this woman in the back of the head a couple of years ago. (I'm not sure if she even survived, but I think she did and was all fucked up.)

If I had to make a snap decision, "Is the average homeless person more likely than the average non-homeless person to be dangerous?" I would say yes, even though how much more likely would be difficult to say. I don't believe they're homeless for no reason, and since that reason often is antisocial psychosis, you bet your bippy they might be dangerous.

I don't spit on them or call them names or any such thing. I still treat them as human beings. But I'll consider them more of a potential danger to me than I would consider some guy who's delivering a pizza, or some woman walking along carrying a briefcase. Would you not?

-Jeffrey

 

Thanks for the insightful comment. Yeah, I think you are right about the media. I mean, every time I see a story on TV about the homeless, it's always something totally negative: They only want our money for drugs and booze. Or else some of the more ambitious ones actually manage to collect hundreds of dollars each day... because they have become so accomplished at making us feel guilty. You never really hear the stories about how some of them are literally dying in the streets. Especially during cold winters in the midwest and such. And are lucky if they have a quarter in theirs pockets. But I guess that's not sensational enough to attract high ratings?

Peace,

PD

 

Dude, you have got to stop the hyperbole. "You never really hear the stories about how some of them are literally dying in the streets."

Um, YES. You DO hear that. And that's why there are outreach programs in all sorts of communities to try to help them.

It's a mistake to state as absolutes things that are obviously not true.

If you want to say that "not enough attention is paid to the fact that they sometimes literally die in the streets," that's fine, and would get the point across accurately.

-Jeffrey

 

Some of the homeless in my city scare the shit out of me, and some of them are very nice. There's a set of five or so that regularly hang out infront of hte mall I used to work at, panhandling and such. There are two guys who I actually rather like... they recognized me when I used to go in almost every day to work, one even commented on my new haircut. I gave them change when I could, but not every time. Hell, maybe once every two weeks, and they were still really nice.

There are a couple who hang out theere who, well, look like the only reason they haven't mugged me yet is the fact that it's daylight and there are a lot of witnesses. They give off this huge angry, violent vibe that I don't like (from anyone, not just homeless people).

 

No, not all homeless people are dangerous. Anybody, including you can become homeless within a blink of an eye!

You can become homeless due to a job loss, illness, mother nature, bad fire, drug habit, bad relationship breakup and you had to leave or being locked up in prison for years. The list goes on and on.

So, no I would never look down, on a homeless person, because you never know what they have been through.

 

Um, that's why I used the words "never REALLY hear." Or else I will say "most". Because even though there are a few very brief stories about some penniless old lady that was found frozen to death in a dumpster or whatever, most of the news items are about how homeless people are scamming unsuspecting citizens big time. I mean, they do entire news series about this exact kind of sensational thing. Several days running. And actually call it an expose. In fact, there is not enough help out there. Fewer shelters and soup kitchens than ever before. Significant Medicaid and SSI cuts. And that's why the numbers of homeless are growing.

I think the real questions (instead of fixating on my journalism skills) are these: Why do we loathe and fear and blame homeless folks so much, instead of taking a long hard look at what the government is doing with our tax dollars? Why are there fewer soup kitchens and shelters? I mean, remember how much Dubya spent on his sweet little Black Tie and Boots Ball? 50 million dollars? WTF? Now that to me is a true crime. Not the one or two or three bad apples that wind up on the streets, and manage to rob us of a few hundred dollars each day. Apples and oranges. LOL. (No bad pun on purpose.)

Peace,

PD

BTW, I know that Dubya got lots of his wealthy friends to help pay for his fancy little "Ball." But these are the same folks whining big time about "forced charity." So they couldn't have been a bit more frugal in regards to their Boots Ball, and given at least half of that money they might have easily saved to the charity of their choice? Do you know how much true good can be done for 25 million dollars? Instead of forever taking money and services away from some of the most vulnerable people in our system. Then blaming them for begging for help on our streets?

 

I don't think even the drug addicts or mentally ill ones are dangerous. I know plenty of employed and housed drug addicts and mentally ill people, so what is the difference? I always talk to homeless people and I never feel threatened. I like hearing their stories... even if you know they are lying. It makes them feel good that someone stopped to listen to them.

The funniest guy I talked to was in San Francisco. He must have been about 30 and he was yelling at me about how he had gone to Vietnam and how much he hated America. I didn't have any money for him, but he was more than happy to just stand with me in line as I waited for the street car.

I've said this before, and I still thing that everyone should take a homeless person out to lunch at least once in their lives.

 

I haven't really come into contact with a lot of homeless people, and the last time I saw one (knowingly) was a few years ago in Boston. He made me cry because he looked so pitiful and sad. My mom gave him some money. But anyway, I don't think they're any more dangerous than anyone else, because everyone is dangerous to someone else, to an extent.

 

Very wise words. Thanks for your comment.

Peace,

PD

 

man i love you
fuck you should have at least
love for me
i dont have a real home
but im the best friend you
could ever have
~~(WOW~~)(~~hippies are so bad~~)
i love all and trust no one
take that to heart

 

Yeah, if more folks were willing to be so generous, then we'd at least solve the hunger problem here (by taking them out to lunch). So at least it's a good start. Excellent points!

Peace,

PD

 

Hmmm. You took my words out of context. And used them as a quote in an unflattering light? Why do that? Especially when I'm getting a few people to honestly open up, and talk about their fears. That was the whole point. BTW, I have been homeless, and I saw the way people shunned me. Even though it was more than twenty years ago, I can still remember the sting of that kind of hurtful rejection. So I've been on both sides. And taking words out of context is never a good thing. I'm still curious why you would do that? Did you even bother to read the entire post first? Which is FOR the homeless, and not AGAINST them. I'm just curious.

Peace,

PD

 

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im just afraid of getting stabbed. i never hope to get stabbed in my life. and for some reason when i pass a homeless person, i immediatley think of getting stabbed. If i was homeless, i would. i mean, a bunch of assholes pass you everyday, and dont even give a shit. especially in the winter in michigan. you pass by someone freezing, and walk by? i dont understand people. Doesnt it seem like you should pass by a homeless person and say, "what the fuck? you dont have a house? what the fuck is that?" but no one cares. nothing makes me want to hurl more than when i see someone (whom i know calls themself christian) turn their head as they walk past a homeless person.

 

I see, I say, you pay

 

Cool.

Peace,

PD

 

Uh huh.

Peace,

PD