EDITOR – I witnessed a grown man crying. I noticed a beggar, in Hillcrest, and for some reason I felt compelled to give him a few rands, all I had in my pocket – a pitiful amount, truth be told. This caused him to start crying and tell me his problems, with which at this stage I shall not burden you, suffice to say it was sufficient to make me feel an absolute cad for feeling sorry for myself this past week.
What makes this matter even more appalling is that I was unfortunate enough to be in Hillcrest earlier this week when Metro Police drove down Old Main Road, and used the loudhailer on the car to inform “members of the community” that begging is illegal. Illegal it may be, but is it immoral to help those less fortunate than ourselves? I am appalled, horrified, in fact I can find no words strong enough to express the outrage I feel that an agent of our government feels its right to inform us that it is illegal to show kindness. My outrage is increased further by the actions of, I presume, a resident of Hillcrest, who wasted good money printing a sign that read “begging is illegal.”
At this juncture I feel it is necessary to clarify that I am not a socialist. I am a libertarian. I believe in freedom and the right for each and every one of us to do what we think is right. I felt that this man today needed those few rands more than I needed a Coke from the local shop. This, as a human, is our prerogative. The joys of free will, man’s greatest gift. As such, I am not advocating the further taxation of the populace in order to start some grand reform scheme to get beggars off our streets. What I am suggesting is that it is blatantly wrong for an agent of our government to inform us that we should not show compassion for our fellow man. Every major religion in the world all speak of charity and compassion as being some of the greatest gifts we have. I say it is up to each of us to decide what is right in each individual situation we encounter.
I also find it an egregious violation of our sense of freedom for an individual to try and tell us what our personal code of morality should be. To waste money printing a large sign saying begging is illegal is beyond the pale. Aristotle said “it is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” I accept that some of us do not wish to support beggars. That is their choice and their opinion. I have first-hand knowledge of some cases where beggars have found it easier to beg, rather than accept a job they have been offered. Such incidents, no doubt, have coloured their opinions. However, to try and force your views on another is immoral in itself.
What is the punishment in our courts for helping someone less fortunate than myself? It is a sad day when our police and our government tell us that it is wrong to show kindness.
Callhan Negus
Waterfall
