An NYPD officer, photographed (conveniently? maybe.) buying and giving a pair of boots to a barefoot and seemingly homeless man. A heartwarming, PR-solid story to keep that holiday high.
Apparently, though, things are not as simple as they seemed. In short, the gentlemen pictured is not homeless, he has an apartment in the Bronx paid through the Department of Veterans Affairs. He has been offered assistance by both his relatives and city outreach programs and has turned them down. The New York Times found the man barefoot once again, saying he hid the boots because "They are worth a lot of money.”
And though he appreciates the gesture, he absolutely "wants a piece of the pie" (his terms not mine) from whatever monetary windfall the photo creates. Does a photo posted on the big free internet really get him any money? I don't think the photographer got any, nor the policeman. If they DID, for whatever reason, I hope they donated the money to a charity assisting homeless veterans.
I'm of two minds on the matter. We'll call the positive outlook Rudolph and the negative Frosty.
Rudolph: Whatever the situation of the homeless man, the gifting of the boots doesn't make the officer's gesture any less generous. The policeman acted as a great example to his peers, his community and the nation as a whole. The world is undoubtedly a better place where actions come from the heart, and we are more willing to do nice things for strangers, rather than being an aloof asshole just because you think everybody is out to scam you. What else can be done to improve the lives and conditions of those living on the street? Understanding. Not everyone is a drunk, druggie grifter. Lots are, but not everyone. A huge amount of homeless people are mentally ill. It is important to cultivate greater quality services for the homeless and the mentally ill so they can find their way to a stronger, sufficient life. My guess is the boots guy isn't all there mentally. So what does it take to legally get him into a clean safe place and the medical attention he needs?
Frosty: The pic is a backfired PR stunt to try and boost the tarnished image of the NYPD. (Cannibal, racist and rapist cops dominated headlines this year.) People would be better to homeless people if so many of them weren't aggressive scam artists. Personal experience in NYC hasn't given me much to be hopeful about. T offered a begging man on the street her unopened can of Arizona iced tea because he was begging for "food, drink, anything you can spare." He rudely replied "You don't have Snapple?" (And he was serious. T was in shock.) I have seen food refused more times than I can remember. THEY DON'T WANT FOOD. They want booze and drug money. Pregnant, tattooed faced lady on the 1 train begs for money because "she has nothing." But in between times I saw her (2 weeks) she found the money for a new tattoo and hair dye. Don't get me started on the people who use babies or pets as props. We've been given to reason to trust that our money will do anything to help anyone, which is why money should ONLY be donated to shelters and organizations with good track records.
We reap what we sow - on both sides.It's a lot to think about, and I for one don't have the answers.
