Did Compassion Leave New York?

Or was it ever even here? There are a lot of people suffering in the streets of New York. Not only here, but people all over the world have some sort of pain that they can't hide. Yet, tonight I was unfortunate to witness some cruel souls who didn't mind making a situation more terrible.

A homeless man was sitting on the 4 train heading towards New Lots Avenue. He had a little bit of a smell to him, so I moved further down the car. His possessions sat comfortably against the train door. A table and some other things were tied down to a cart where it blocked the door.

Some people walked on the train and covered their noses after they sat down. One woman sitting down was bold enough to spray her body spray near the homeless man. The man didn't move. My headphones were in my ears, so I didn't really hear anything. A heavy set man and a couple with a baby appeared to be laughing right next to him. They were looking straight at him as they enjoyed a joke.

The man continued to look straight. He looked like a black Santa Claus with his beard. He had a kind face, but never once changed his expression.

As the people continued to laugh, a man casually waltzed up to the homeless person's possessions as the train was approaching Utica Avenue. He grabbed the cart like it was his and pulled it out of the train. The people got off laughing. I thought I heard one person say "He's homeless. He's not going to say anything."

I stared back at the man as I got off at the same stop. He stared in the same direction where his belongings once stood.

I write about this because I couldn't believe what I had seen tonight. And I had a great evening experiencing some beautiful fireworks, but witnessing this almost ruined it. I couldn't believe my eyes. How could people be so cruel to this man? He didn't do a thing to them. It's hard enough being homeless and it's almost as if they just rubbed it in his face. It's like they decided to toss out his possessions, possibly the only things he owned, just because he smelled.

Every time I see a homeless person, I imagine how difficult it must be to be in their position. The economy has only increased homelessness. Mothers sit in train terminals with their kids and a simple sign asking for food. Desperate kids dance, sing, do whatever they can to get extra cash in their pocket. Or sometimes, even a handicapped individual begs for money at the bus stop to get through the night.

A lot of the time, I'll admit it I just ignore them. But it still doesn't stop me from thinking about the struggles their going through. In that moment, I felt like I was a part of the problem for not helping the man. Honestly, I wished I had said something. His life is hard enough without some insensitive jerks making it worse. The man could have had dementia, lost his family from Katrina, or lost his home to a fire. Only God knows his path and only he can judge him. Who are we to treat him like that? No one on that train stood up for him. All anyone could do was act like their sh** don't stink too and cover their nose. Where did compassion for the helpless man go?

There's always an issue of injustice whether it's about bullying in schools, bullying of homosexuals, racism towards African Americans, etc. Yet, I never knew bullying of the homeless could ever be an issue. It just enraged me so much to witness this heartless behavior. But it hurt me greatly that I nor anyone didn't stand up for him. People are so quick to ridicule the homeless and put them in their place. But someone's got to be there to help them. If we're beating them down, how could they ever at least feel better about the world they live in and make a way to a better life?

Happy July 4 by the way....