Word: homelessness
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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Tahlia T. Tuck's suggestion that Harvard students cope with the homeless by "simply smiling and speaking to them" is perhaps one of the most patronizing suggestions to appear on the Crimson's editorial page (Opinion, Apr. 8). Tuck argues so passionately that we ought to treat homeless people with "human decency," yet she herself simultaneously patronizes the homeless by suggesting that they are somehow foreign beings who just happen to pervade our student landscape...
Furthermore, Tuck seems to confuse beggars with homeless people; beggars are not necessarily homeless, and vice versa. In fact, if Tuck had conversations with some of the panhandlers that I have talked to, she would learn that many of them live quite comfortably. To be sure, these sorts of beggars are probably not the norm, but Tuck's inane generalizations still smack of guilt-wracked hooey. Tuck needs to give Harvard students more credit; the majority of us are already concerned about the problem of homelessness, but are averse to treating homeless people like they are animals in a petting...
Another, less popular response to the problem is giving extra change to the homeless. However, the easiest way that all of us can help is simply by acknowledging these people's presence...
People often try to ignore the homeless, walking quickly away from them or turning their heads as if they do not see them. Some will even cross the street to avoid making eye contact with these individuals...
...believe that we ignore the homeless to be mean; rather, it is more likely guilt, shame and apathy that prevent us from acknowledging our fellow person. I am not suggesting everyone give money to each beggar they see. I am not even suggesting that everyone have a full conversation with each person they encounter. But I do believe that all of us have a duty to at least recognize and show respect for our fellow human beings...