So, to get this out of the way, I'm a cisgender white man from a well-off family in a fairly affluent town. I'm making this post because I want to hear perspectives from those who are different from and likely significantly more knowledgeable than me. (Literally as I was writing this post, I came to the epiphany that I should probably more properly educate myself on socialism.)
TL;DR: What is your opinion on giving money to houseless people you see IRL?
I like to consider myself socialist/progressive in thought---in favor of wealth redistribution via various methods, live and let live, freedom for everyone as long as you're not materially harming anyone, etc.---but I grew up in a fairly conservative household (more socially than fiscally, but even then). Being in a rich area, I never really saw houseless people around unless I went to one of the nearby cities, and the general policy was keep walking and don't look. My parents definitely raised me to be kind and generous, but more in a detached "give to charity" way.
Rather recently, I've really embraced this idea of being socialist, and I've become very free with giving my money in particular (though I'm aware I could do more, like join a DSA branch or somethin'). I love giving to non-profit organizations when I can, I support creators I like on Patreon. I've even started giving to people on Fedi who I've seen need money for whatever reason. Spread the wealth, right?
Now, things have changed where I live, and even in my rich lil burb, you can usually find at least one refugee or houseless person when you go out to a grocery store or something. I just saw a guy who was standing outside a grocery store asking for spare change, and it was a rare occasion that I actually had cash in my wallet. On my way out, I gave it to him. Simple.
But I feel weird about it. I have all these ideas in my head from White America saying that they'll just buy alcohol or drugs with it or that they're scamming me or anything else like that. Then on the other hand, I think that it's just as likely (if not more) that they're going to spend it on things they actually need to live and how it's not my job to police how they use their money. And then on the third hand, I think that maybe it would be better to donate money to organizations that help out houseless people than just giving money to random people. Then on the fourth hand---you get the idea.
For those of you who actually read the whole post and didn't stop at the TL;DR, I have a few questions:
- Why in God's name did you actually read this whole thing?
- Are these feelings normal or am I just a self-centered prick?
- What are your opinions on giving money to houseless people you just randomly meet?
- As a bonus question for the socialists out there: Any recs on socialism learning resources for someone who likes reading, but doesn't like reading books?
For those of you who made it all the way to the end, thank you for reading my neurotic ramblings.
EDIT: I didn't really expect this to blow up... but thank you all so much for your perspectives on everything. It was exactly what I was hoping for and exactly what I didn't think I was going to get. I tried to read everything and I feel simultaneously less conflicted, but definitely more... not confused, but maybe full of ideas?
My brother-in-law has worked in homeless charity for a long time, not just on the front lines but as executive director, too. He told me that handing cash directly to someone on the street is something he never does, unless he knows that person personally from interacting with them at a shelter or in relation to some other support program. Folks can get so much more in terms of assistance and services if they're connected to a program. The programs run more efficiently, so your donations to a homeless charity will provide much more than a donation to an individual person. Finally, they want people to participate in these programs, so they can get people the support they need, not just in terms of housing and food, but mental health services, job training, all sorts of stuff.
You're right: make your donations to a charity of your choice, and go do some volunteer time, too.
I work in homeless services and I would agree with that. If you want to give money or help, give it to the organisations that help homeless people. For the reasons stated here.
This argument doesn't make much sense and is honestly weirdly condescending to unhoused people. Donating money to an organization is almost surely the most efficient way to use that money, but it doesn't follow that you shouldn't give money to individuals. Unless you are really truly going to go home and send that $5 you didn't give to a person to an organization immediately, that's $5 that's not helping anyone.
There's definitely an argument that organized giving should be directed to organizations (though folks deep into mutual aid would question whether something organized enough to have executives is the right place, but that's more a philosophical question, I think), but when I give the singles in my wallet to someone of the subway or whatever, that's not organized giving.
I neglected to include this: "not enough money to make it independently" in someone's pocket can delay them getting to a program that would offer a great deal more services, and ones which would put them more firmly on the path towards independence. Whether it's a few dollars given by an indivudual, or a wide range of services given by an organization, they're still mainly dependent on charity. It's often the services a program provides that are a necessary part of moving towards independence, and $5 in the pocket doesn't get those services.
In order for any organization to accomplish large goals most efficiently, it will need leadership.
Finally, you'll note that I didn't say don't give to individuals. I said that your charity will do more when it is given to the right organization. I am aware that there are plenty of "charity" organizations that are, shall we say, less charitable than others. Yes, it will require some effort on the part of the person giving to vet charities to their satisfaction. Going to do volunteer work with charitable organizations can be part (but not all) of that vetting. It is always the choice of the individual giver as to where their donations go: this charity, that person, that charity, this person.