Americans should be thankful for everything they have

Martina Ricards
Staff Writer

My first encounter with a homeless person happened when I was 10, during a family vacation in Toronto. We were on our way to an up-scale French restaurant when I noticed him. He was older, wearing a torn green coat paired with black sweat pants and holding a sign that read, "Please spare some change." I walked up to the man with tears in my eyes and said, "I will help you someday."

At the age of 16, I found myself walking down the Michigan Mile? with a close friend behind a middle-aged man outfitted in a recognizable Armani suit, crisp and recently pressed cuffs, and shiny black shoes with nicely styled hair. As he strolled, a woman wearing old clothing ran to his side and asked, "Sir, I have no money to buy my baby some food, please do you have anything?" Without eye contact he waved his hand, dismissing her like she was nothing more than an annoying insect. Although she continued to plea with him—not using words, but simply her eyes—he seemed unfazed. I took $20 out of my wallet and handed it to her.

On Thanksgiving, we sit at a table filled with a vast array of food and our extended family. I ask you to imagine, for a moment, a loved one losing themself to a drug or alcohol addiction in which they had no means to recover, or freezing to death merely because they aren’t able to find a newspaper and a cardboard box with which to survive the night.

Don’t tell me their situation is their own fault and don’t attempt to defend the argument using the famous line: "Why don’t they get a job?" Are you suggesting the homeless have been given the opportunity? Think about it: Would you hire someone that doesn’t have a permanent residence, has served time in jail because they were forced to steal necessities, or attended the interview with visibly dirty clothes? Of course not. Most likely, you would perceive them as an irresponsible screw-up. The homeless are written off as the forgotten, embarrassing aspect of society.

Despite the high costs of attending Albion, I’m receiving an education that many people can only dream of. Everyday I am provided with ample amounts of food and water, my shelter isn’t mistaken for recycling and because of these factors, I feel I have been handed a privilege and an imperative responsibility. To be truly thankful, one must find a way to better the entire American society. I’ll admit the man I promised I would help someday may felt a glimmer of hope for only a split second. The woman I instinctively handed $20 to may have used the money to get high. The humble expression of thankfulness in her eyes made every penny worth it.

Here’s a challenge: next time you find yourself over-looking a homeless person as nothing more than a meaningless characteristic of a populated city, remember they had dreams once too. Maybe they viewed the world as merely a starting point like you and I; a blank slate laid out for us to change. It wasn’t up to them that they became the aspect we look to change.

Next time you showcase a pair of personalized Nike Shox, a Coach handbag, or a North Face jacket, keep in mind: we both know the price of each item. So, if you can afford worthless objects that—let’s be honest—simply serve as status symbols, then open your damn wallet, pull out the five, and hand it to the person who needs it more- who needs it to survive. And if having the means to give isn’t enough to be thankful for this Thanksgiving….well, I’m not sure what is. As for me, I will keep my promise I made at the age of 10. When you opt to ignore a devastating plea, I will be right behind you to hand the stranger a 20.