I like to think of myself as a compassionate individual, someone who is able to show empathy for others, however, there is a question that really bewilders me. Is begging a respectable trade? Why would I ask such a question you might think? To that I have no clear answer, but even more questions, questions that easily could be raised as a response to the first.
Our world is not a perfect place, although someone would argue that Norway is fairly close, it is for the most of us far from the truth. I live in Bergen with approx. 250 000 inhabitants, a fairly big city in Norwegian terms, which is a city like any other city with its pros and cons, mostly pros mind you. That said, in these global days no one can protect themselves against everything, hence, we all tend to have the same challenges, although with a different scale. Having the same challenges we usually adopt the same “medicine” to meet and fix them. However, little is, in my ignorant mind, done to think new and “out of the box”.
Take the drug policies. Recently politicians, with the help of the media, put heroine as medicine for long-term drug addicts on the agenda. The idea basically was that long-term drug addicts would be better off if they could use heroine legally and in controlled forms, thus functioning and contributing to the society once more. Needless to say you have heard it before, and whether or not one agrees with such a policy or not, it does not change the fact that people with tougher challenges than you and I (taking that you live a so called “normal life”) need more than just a legalization of drugs in the name of medicine. Hence, one thing is the drug policies, another thing is what you do to get people back on their feet, and this is where my question should be answered by our “beloved” politicians: Can begging become a respectable trade?
Begging comes in many forms, however, I will refer to Wikipedia and say that Begging or panhandling is to request a donation in a supplicating manner. Beggars are commonly found in public places, such as street corners or public transport, where they request money such as spare change. They may use cups, boxes or hats to receive the donations [Wikipedia].
To further expand this I would like to add street newspapers (or street papers) or magazines that are sold by homeless or poor individuals and produced mainly to support these populations.[Wikipedia].
Now you may ask yourself; selling street newspapers is not the same as begging as they are actually selling something the public is in demand for. In demand is of course the essence and main motivation for selling something in the first place, however, that is not what I am questioning. What I am questioning is whether or not the way that street newspapers are being sold is similar to begging, and whether or not that way of “helping” someone, with enough challenges in their life already, is just another way of asking them to beg for money.
In my humble opinion I would argue, how much the thought may disgust anyone (including myself), that selling or pushing street newspapers is another form of begging. There are many times I have thought that people with such challenges would be better of if they would be protected against societies harsh reality and coldness. Ask yourself the following question; When did you last buy a street newspaper because you felt you had to out of pity for the person selling it? If the answer is Yes, I truly believe you should have politely said No.
The first, and last time, I bought our street magazine in Bergen (Megafon) I said to myself … hey, you just spent money on something you did not need or wanted to read just because you felt sorry for the guy selling the magazine in the first place. I felt I had to do it … it was my duty as a fellow citizen to support this guy, even though I felt he was begging me to buy it because he needed the money. I did not really care about the magazine so I could have just given him the money, but that would be treating him as a beggar and not as a respected fellow citizen selling me a much sought after magazine. Mind you, a lot of people buy the magazine because they find it interesting which is all good.
However, I would argue that magazines such as Megafon, no matter how good their intentions are, would be better off if they distributed and sold their magazines differently and spent their earnings on something that would integrate “their sellers” into society without being stigmatized by people like me.
[Megafon]
The above reference can be loosely translated into: Megafon wishes, by selling street magazines, to give fellow citizens an opportunity to make an income in a worthy manner. A way that contributes to increase their self respect, and that will make them feel as part of something greater. By buying Megafon you will be supporting this task.
To be honest, I do not think selling street magazines is a way to make an income, and at the same time keep your dignity. I am not blaming Megafon for doing anything wrong, because their intentions are good and honorable. The problem is that Megafon exists because the rest of us (aka society) could not care less about what happens to their next door neighbour. Hence, buying a magazine kind of clears my conscience … or?
I wonder why people that spend most of their lives going in and out of government institutions such as hospitals and clinics are not integrated back into society where they can make a difference. So, why are we not able to give our troubled friends something more, something that would give them their much needed self respect and sense of dignity? Why are we so cold hearted that we cannot give people something worth while to do, except selling street magazines that is? Something decent, something that would see them through and get them on track? Since when was a beggar unable to do more than selling a magazine?
To set the record straight; I for one do not want to buy a street magazine just to be able to brag about in front of my next door neighbour and say … “hey, I support this magazine because I care!”. I believe we as a society should be able to do more, and not just expect that a few good souls like the people running Megafon will fix all our “problems”. They should not be alone in taking the responsibility!
Yes, could’nt agree more. People have lost their normal ability of compassion. Some do have it of course and are capable of showing because it’s integrated in their life. But most of the time people/society are concerned with a \bigger picture\ and forget about individuals. We tend to mind our own business and struggle to keep up with all the demands the world makes us believe we need.
Sadly, they who can’t keep up find themselves alone and forgotten- a kind of \paria\ in the society, worthless because they can’t contribute like the rest of us.
The world is a hard and cold place for those who \failed\.
Compassion is the key for all of us on this planet ;o)
Hey nephew!
I agree with you on this issue to a sertain degree. It’s just another way of stigmatizing people. However, the fact may also be, that selling these streetpapers is the only way they can earn money- most of them are not capable of having “a real job”. Some of them are drugaddicts or former, and too damaged from it to have normal jobs.
Life sucks in many ways for a lot of people- and unforunately it’s the citizens around them who makes the labels. They might themselves be very happy about selling the paper and feel a little bit upliftet and might feel some kind of dignity.
Who are we to take that away from them?
Hugs
Ps- Btw, nice blog!
Typo! “Unfortunately” – forgot the T -lol
I agree with you on everything you wrote.
I praise those who make an initiative to help others that are “less fortunate”; however, the real problem is not them, but society as a whole. It’s a lack of “feel of responsibility” from the rest of us, and possibly willingness or incentive to do something.
Selling street magazines are, as you wrote, just another way of stigmatizing people even more. Why? Because most of us do stigmatize, and do it without actually reflecting over why we do it. Is it fair … no! Can we do anything about it … yes!
How? I honestly don’t know if there’s anything concrete that would work … You see, it’s the traits of society that’s the problem. Unless we are willing to change our behavior we will continue to shove the responsibility for things we don’t like onto others … that are willing to help. Selling street magazines is just another example of this, and in its worst sense the same as throwing the wounded back into the lion’s den.
I would not want to take anything away, I just wish society was built different, and that caring for others was something that comes natural, and that it was properly rewarded …
It’s not only this issue that makes me churn inside … it’s the whole idea of not giving people the sense of respect they deserve. Whether they are drug addicts, poor or just plain old and helpless, we as a society should stand up for what is the best, but sometimes the most forgotten, human trait … THE ABILITY TO CARE!
