Homelessness and the indignity of hurtful speech

[Bluebear]

...We did receive generous donations from a few readers after I first wrote about our homelessness — money that has been spent on groceries, rent, transportation, laundry, medical expenses and IRS payments.

But any warmth of kindness was lost to judgmental creatures wrapped in their conservative ideology and intoxicated by their own venomous rhetoric. (One reader, Ron, called me a “lazy, lazy lazy loser” and worse.) As journalist and author Michael Scott Moore (“Sweetness and Blood”) wrote on his website Radio Free Mike: “The worst part is that the Sun has uncovered a new and virulent strain of American unfeeling for the unfortunate.”

More than the tale of my plight itself, the vicious online response to the New Homeless series (particularly in Part One) became the story for the press beyond Nevada’s borders. And that will be my take-away from this unwanted experience: how others react to a stranger’s homelessness. During Channel 3’s recent Holiday Helping Hand Drive, Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak summed it up best when he said, “Societies are judged by how they respond to those in need.” Indeed, the citizens of Las Vegas have been judged by the shrill voices of a very vocal minority.

In the popular New York-based Web daily The Awl, editor Choire Sicha, in an Aug. 30 posting titled “Why Is American Selfishness So Widespread Now?” observed that reaction to my story serves as “a reminder of the American lack of empathy … the (comments) went from awful to judgmental to trashing to witch hunt.”

MORE...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/dec/05/indignity-hurtful-speech/

[RKP5637]

1. IMO runaway capitalism breeds and rewards sociopathic like behavior, as in

I've got mine F you. I find a distinct inbred cruelness in unbridled capitalism. I find the US a far more cruel society than decades ago.

[Dappleganger]

2. Many of those who are saying "Fuck you" are one paycheck away from ruin.

It's not just the rich, it's those who live in complete denial that their grand capitalistic overlords will save them.

[RKP5637]

5. I agree so much with you on this. It's pretty much a defense

mechanism at work (I think), bullying someone in financial despair to alleviate ones own bordering financial despair. It's similar (I think) to how some people treat aged citizens and ill citizens, like it can't happen to them ... it's just "those" over there it happens to because it's their fault. It's IMO a tragic defense mechanism at work. We see a lot of that in the US, and politicians are certainly no exception.

I'm not a spiteful person, but I sure would like to see some live in other peoples shoes for awhile.

[Jamastiene]

20. Those people don't realize that life can change on a dime.

One paycheck and many people would find themselves in the same situation.

[bobbolink]

3. Welcome to my world.

And DU is within the boundaries so described.

[Catherina]

4. The comments are mind-blowing. I'm sorry Bluebear

Thank you for bringing attention to homelessness. I hope your situation improves very soon. Many of those comments are so shameful that I wonder if America has enough heart left to survive.

[Bluebear]

13. Thank you my darling, I am not homeless...

Doing very well. But until everybody's situation improves, it's darn hard to enjoy it!

[bobbolink]

15. You're so right, Bluebear... we are ALL in this together.

ALL the struggles are OURS.

:hug:

[Starry Messenger]

6. recommend.

[dana_b]

7. i think the writer hit the nail

on the head. people are so judgmental because they are afraid that it could be themselves at any time. Which it really COULD. Too bad they can't try and empathize instead of criticize.

[bobbolink]

8. Yet, knowing that doesn't really change anything, does it?

The REAL problem is that people who say they are more empathetic aren't willing to take on an issue that isn't "sexy".

"Evil triumphs when good people do nothing."

[dana_b]

10. true but that is some people, but not all

some DO take on an issue. Do I? Yes - in my own city/community. Do all the people that I know do the same who say they empathize? No way. That takes work and you are dead right about that.

[bobbolink]

14. Then I can count on you to help with the educational project I am working on?

[dana_b]

16. Yes, you can

if I can help in any way (research, education distribution, etc.), please PM me.

[bobbolink]

17. Thank you very, very much! You will be hearing from me.

:yourock:

[dana_b]

18. very good!

I look forward to it. :)

[Odin2005]

9. Ugh, read the comments!

:grr:

[Lorien]

11. 30 years of "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" Reaganism, plus

a sprinkling of New age magical thinking ("if you are suffering it's because you told the Universe that you wanted to suffer"), and a whole lotta Right Wing noise post Fairness Doctrine. It's a toxic brew.

[Lifelong Protester]

12. Wow, those comments are just sickening

and I'll bet several of the commenting folks are 'good Christians' too.... too bad they don't understand the verses :


<< Matthew 25: 31-46 >>
New American Standard Bible


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

[Jamastiene]

19. K&R

[Withywindle]

21. K&R