We've all either rolled up our windows at an intersection or walked in a completely different direction just to avoid a homeless person.
Some of us have even forgotten that homeless people are just that -- homeless. So we call them "bums," failing to recognize that not all homeless people are drunks or junkies.
Many homeless people, in fact, were once normal people like us, with cars, jobs, families and money. But, somewhere along the line, things went wrong.
Ironically enough, some of these people served our country in times of war.
So you thought the "I'm a Vietnam Vet, anything will help" signs were bull? According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 23 percent of homeless people are actually veterans who have served in wars as old as the Korean War and as recent as Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Even worse, 76 percent of them are alcohol and/or drug addicts. In our society, it's easy to dismiss people who, to our standards, can't get it together. We feel that we have no reason to pity, let alone help, them when we work so hard.
And maybe sometimes we're right. Maybe we shouldn't have to feel sad for other people's bad choices. But when it comes to addiction, there are no easy answers.
And just because we feel no sympathy, does that mean we can pick on homeless people?
Assuming that a person has no home because they are lazy is hypocritical. What if all homeless people truly believed that all ASU students are rich snobs who get mommy and daddy to pay for their multi-layered Lacoste polos and Coach bags?
So not true.
When we found out that homeless people in the Valley are getting harassed, both verbally and physically, it was a big let down. Fortunately, it's not a big issue here in Tempe, but the problem does exist.
We guess it's pretty easy to pick on someone after a night of drinking, when people's levels of courage (and stupidity) are sky high. But that doesn't mean it's justifiable.
And we're not asking that you give your money or food to a homeless person every time you see one, but that you try to put yourself in their place and imagine not having your cute Ikea bed, comfortable couch and sweet cable TV. Would you be able to handle that?
So, next time you see a homeless person, try not to look away. Even if you have nothing to give -- we are students, after all, and fully dependant on our debit cards -- smile, and hope you never have to be in that position.
