Homeless angry after not getting $300 after free lunch

[realibrad]

The homeless people he had helped blasted him as a “fraud” and a “thief” and worse because the $300 each had expected to receive was instead given in lump-sum to a shelter where they had been staying — New York City Rescue Mission.

“The meal was lousy, the cash didn’t come,” said Clarence Taylor, 52, as the ungrateful throng railed in frustration. “Prey on somebody else. Why are you preying on the homeless?”

But Chen’s quirky Kumbaya moment started to unravel when a rumor spread through the crowd that nobody else was getting any cash.

Chen quickly assured them — via translator again — that that was not the case. But the homeless didn’t want to hear it, and began chanting, “Where’s the money? Where’s the money?”

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/homeless-sing-communist-song-free-lunch-article-1.1843700

Sounds like a guy tried to do a nice thing, and the homeless people got greedy.

 

[fskimospy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/homeless-sing-communist-song-free-lunch-article-1.1843700

Sounds like a guy tried to do a nice thing, and the homeless people got greedy.

Meh. Guy says "come here and I'll give you $300". You come there and he doesn't give you $300. These are people to which $300 is a huge amount of money. Part and parcel to doing a 'nice thing' is being aware of the circumstances and the mental and emotional state of the people you're working with.

I don't blame them for being angry and disappointed at the situation. While their reactions aren't appropriate, these people are pretty messed up to begin with.

 

[Oldgamer]

Meh. Guy says "come here and I'll give you $300". You come there and he doesn't give you $300. These are people to which $300 is a huge amount of money. Part and parcel to doing a 'nice thing' is being aware of the circumstances and the mental and emotional state of the people you're working with.

I don't blame them for being angry and disappointed at the situation. While their reactions aren't appropriate, these people are pretty messed up to begin with.

I know it may seem ungrateful but the guy advertised he would give this money to folks. So what do you expect?? You don't tell people something like this then turn around and change your mind.

 

[realibrad]

Meh. Guy says "come here and I'll give you $300". You come there and he doesn't give you $300. These are people to which $300 is a huge amount of money. Part and parcel to doing a 'nice thing' is being aware of the circumstances and the mental and emotional state of the people you're working with.

I don't blame them for being angry and disappointed at the situation. While their reactions aren't appropriate, these people are pretty messed up to begin with.

The thing was that a rumor got spread that he was not going to give out the cash, so they got angry. He tried to assure them that they would get the money, and the started chanting. So he left and gave the shelters the money instead.

Even still, they were getting free food. I could see being slightly annoyed, but saying he was a thief is amazing to me.

 

[fskimospy]

The thing was that a rumor got spread that he was not going to give out the cash, so they got angry. He tried to assure them that they would get the money, and the started chanting. So he left and gave the shelters the money instead.

Even still, they were getting free food. I could see being slightly annoyed, but saying he was a thief is amazing to me.

That is actually not what happened at all.

He signed a contract before the event with that shelter that said he would not be giving any money directly to attendees. Then at the event itself he said he was going to distribute that money to the attendees anyway, but was immediately informed by the shelter staff that doing so would violate the contract. After learning this he decided to have a few symbolic gifts of cash to individuals that they were immediately forced to return.

While I agree calling him a thief is ridiculous, the guy displayed a pretty crazy lack of understanding of the people he was trying to help.

 

[Oldgamer]

The thing was that a rumor got spread that he was not going to give out the cash, so they got angry. He tried to assure them that they would get the money, and the started chanting. So he left and gave the shelters the money instead.

Even still, they were getting free food. I could see being slightly annoyed, but saying he was a thief is amazing to me.

Well none of us were there, we don't know what actually occurred other than a slanted news article designed to make the homeless look bad. Whoever started the rumor may have had an agenda as well.

 

[Oldgamer]

That is actually not what happened at all.

He signed a contract before the event with that shelter that said he would not be giving any money directly to attendees. Then at the event itself he said he was going to distribute that money to the attendees anyway, but was immediately informed by the shelter staff that doing so would violate the contract. After learning this he decided to have a few symbolic gifts of cash to individuals that they were immediately forced to return.

While I agree calling him a thief is ridiculous, the guy displayed a pretty crazy lack of understanding of the people he was trying to help.

This, exactly....^^

 

[fskimospy]

Well none of us were there, we don't know what actually occurred other than a slanted news article designed to make the homeless look bad. Whoever started the rumor may have had an agenda as well.

Here's a less biased article on it:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/26/n...ess-by-magnate-are-canceled.html?ref=nyregion

 

[mizzou]

NY homeless people are assholes...but want to know who is worse? Homeless people in Quebec! They are INCREDULOUS assholes!

 

[realibrad]

That is actually not what happened at all.

He signed a contract before the event with that shelter that said he would not be giving any money directly to attendees. Then at the event itself he said he was going to distribute that money to the attendees anyway, but was immediately informed by the shelter staff that doing so would violate the contract. After learning this he decided to have a few symbolic gifts of cash to individuals that they were immediately forced to return.

While I agree calling him a thief is ridiculous, the guy displayed a pretty crazy lack of understanding of the people he was trying to help.

After reading a few more articles, you are correct. He had always intended to give the shelters directly the money.

Its just sad that people think the way the homeless people do. Somehow, even after getting something for free, they are upset because they expected more.

 

[Veliko]

A large number of homeless people have mental health issues so any publication putting out slanted news stories of them acting irrationally is a rag of shit.

 

[Oldgamer]

A large number of homeless people have mental health issues so any publication putting out slanted news stories of them acting irrationally is a rag of shit.

This is exactly right, so it is totally stupid to do what this guy did. Many have serious cognitive issues and perception issues due to poor mental health. So you can't expect most of them to comprehend certain things. All they know is they are poor, hungry, desperate and the world hates them.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

After reading a few more articles, you are correct. He had always intended to give the shelters directly the money.

Its just sad that people think the way the homeless people do. Somehow, even after getting something for free, they are upset because they expected more.

I can eat a single meal vs. I thought I would be able to eat for weeks... That's a lot of hope to give to desperate people.

Calling him a thief is ridiculous but I can understand the in the moment emotional impact by the attendees.

 

[realibrad]

I can eat a single meal vs. I thought I would be able to eat for weeks... That's a lot of hope to give to desperate people.

Calling him a thief is ridiculous but I can understand the in the moment emotional impact by the attendees.

In this case, the shelter got the money, and these people will be able to eat for a lot longer than if they did not get anything. If people thought they were getting cash, and didnt, I could see being mildly annoyed. But the anger directed at the guy was much more than annoyance.

Even still, you are advocating that somehow something was lost vs what they had before hope was given are you not?

 

[MomentsofSanity]

In this case, the shelter got the money, and these people will be able to eat for a lot longer than if they did not get anything. If people thought they were getting cash, and didnt, I could see being mildly annoyed. But the anger directed at the guy was much more than annoyance.

Even still, you are advocating that somehow something was lost vs what they had before hope was given are you not?

Nope. I'm saying giving hope to the desperate will not end well if that hope is taken away.

Edit: To be clear I'm not saying their response is appropriate, but I'm also not desperate for money so I can be far more objective.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I can eat a single meal vs. I thought I would be able to eat for weeks... That's a lot of hope to give to desperate people.

I cannot speak to this particular group of homeless. But, in my experience with homeless people, little to none of the money will be spent on food. It will go straight to supporting a drug and/or alcohol problem.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

I cannot speak to this particular group of homeless. But, in my experience with homeless people, little to none of the money will be spent on food. It will go straight to supporting a drug and/or alcohol problem.

I'm being optimistic!

 

[Zaap]

A trolley loaded with $100 bills appeared on the dais, and the homeless delegates were led to the stage, where they posed for the television cameras. Mr. Chen moved into the last portion of the program, launching into an awkward karaoke version of “We Are the World.” But as he sang, word began to spread around the room that there was, in fact, going to be no broader cash disbursement.

WTF?
Theatre of the absurd.

Chen sounds like a world class asshole... just wanted to flaunt money in front of people who have nothing and probably thought they would dance like trained monkeys in worship of him. Plus buy himself some prime "look how much I care!" photo op points.

If he had even a shred of charisma he could instead have channeled his supreme assholiness and need to be worshipped into being a career politician. Then he would have known enough to promise poor people other people's money, and inevitably upon failing to deliver, channel their rage at those other people. Dumb schmuck. This isn't how you do Hope and Change.

 

[Zebo]

No good deed goes unpunished.

 

[Atreus21]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/homeless-sing-communist-song-free-lunch-article-1.1843700

Sounds like a guy tried to do a nice thing, and the homeless people got greedy.

Nothing is as infuriating to me as ingratitude.

 

[Newell Steamer]

A rich person toying with the homeless - no surprise.

And, the usual misanthropes show up to further bash the poor - as expected.

 

[realibrad]

A rich person toying with the homeless - no surprise.

And, the usual misanthropes show up to further bash the poor - as expected.

How was he toying with the homeless? He gave them more than what they had, and they are better off are they not?

 

[CitizenKain]

How was he toying with the homeless? He gave them more than what they had, and they are better off are they not?

By offering them 300 bucks for being in a photo op with him, and then not giving it out. Why is this too confusing?

Mr. Chen addressed the audience and then uncorked the news the crowd had been waiting for: “I will give $300 for every participant today.”

Nothing is as infuriating to me as ingratitude.

By deceiving people is ok though, got it.

 

[Zaap]

How was he toying with the homeless? He gave them more than what they had, and they are better off are they not?

Personally I don't think being better off is the measure of this.

The guy was just a classless buffoon that was using these people in some sort of weird attempt to score points for himself. Even a person who is homeless has human dignity and can tell when they're being used. Like others have said, add mental instability to the mix and bad things result.

There are countless ways he could have used his money to actually help the homeless (that would habe been welcomed by them and actually dignifying) without resorting to a crass dog and pony show with carts of cash and absurd yacht club crap.

The guy has all the worst tasteless slimebag tendencies of a career politician with none of the shrewdness to disguise it as giving a flying fuck.

 

[Newell Steamer]

How was he toying with the homeless? He gave them more than what they had, and they are better off are they not?

Then all those homeless people who expected $300 are not telling the truth.