
In America, over half one million individuals had been experiencing homelessness as of 2020. About 70% of those individuals had been people, and the remaining 30% had been households with youngsters.
Elements equivalent to an absence of inexpensive housing and low wages contribute to those unacceptable statistics, and whereas it’s uncomfortable to consider, most of us are a lot, a lot nearer to experiencing homelessness than we are going to ever be to being a billionaire.
Nonetheless, that does not imply we do not lack empathy in the direction of those that aren’t that totally different from us. And a few feedback on a current video of a homeless lady have proved we’ve a protracted solution to go with regards to respecting the unhoused.
A TikTok video displaying a homeless lady saying her being pregnant divided viewers.
Self-described “designer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur” Isaiah Garza has grown their social media presence by posting movies of themselves “making goals come true” for different individuals.
In Garza’s video, they meet up with a girl who shares that she’s pregnant.
When Garza asks what they may do to “put a smile on her face,” she asks for brand spanking new sneakers, and the 2 go shoe purchasing collectively. On the finish of the video, Garza asks if the sneakers made her completely satisfied, and she or he responds, “Being your pal makes me even happier.”
Not everybody within the feedback responded positively to the video. Tons of of individuals raised objections to the truth that the girl within the video was pregnant and homeless. “Ought to an individual in that scenario actually be having youngsters?” one individual commented. “In case you can’t afford to look after your self you’ll be able to’t afford a child,” mentioned one other.
Whereas it’s comprehensible that folks can be involved for the security and well-being of the girl’s future child, different commenters identified that no one deserves or expects to turn into homeless, and that wealth doesn’t essentially equate to being an excellent mum or dad.
Individuals reminded others that they don’t know the girl’s circumstances, equivalent to how or when she grew to become homeless. Garza took to the feedback themselves to say “She’s a home abuse survivor and has been by means of a lot in her life. She’s attempting to rebuild her life and she or he wants help and love!”
Tons of of individuals within the feedback had been prepared to donate to make sure that the girl might maintain her future baby.
Loads of commenters requested for a GoFundMe or different solution to donate to the girl within the video. Whereas it doesn’t seem to be they’ve posted any choices to donate to the girl immediately, Garza has hyperlinks of their bio to donate to their nonprofit basis.
Garza hasn’t posted any current movies that includes the identical lady, though they’ve promised updates to curious individuals of their feedback. No matter if or when Garza posts an replace, hopefully the girl is in a greater scenario now.
Federal and state authorities responses to the disaster of homelessness have been lower than supportive. As an alternative of offering everlasting housing for individuals in want, states like Missouri and Tennessee have handed payments criminalizing homelessness, and cities all through the nation have applied hostile structure equivalent to spikes on sidewalks and dividers on benches to forestall individuals experiencing homelessness from resting in public areas.
Within the midst of those inhumane nationwide circumstances, influencers like Isaiah Garza, who make a dwelling off of posting “inspirational,” “healthful” content material that includes individuals in want, have blown up on social media.
Influencers like Garza report themselves doing “random acts of kindness,” significantly for individuals in want. Philanthropy as a social media model is a distinct segment that some individuals have criticized as exploitative.
Nonetheless, if making the content material permits mentioned influencers to maintain earning money to provide to individuals who want it, then it could’t be all dangerous, proper? Finally, whereas our authorities permits homelessness and poverty to exist, it’s tough to criticize influencers for locating a financially viable approach to offer individuals of their communities with sources.
Jessica Bracken is a author dwelling in Davis, California. She covers leisure and information for YourTango.