Editor: Iâm a young man and Iâm facing some difficulties in life â unemployment, frustration, poverty and health issues are some of my challenges. Sometimes I feel like giving up; at one time I even considered suicide; thatâs how bad it got. Itâs extremely frustrating when I sit and think about life and its obstacles. My parents tried their best, but things were so bad, it caused my parents to fight so often. I often believe that is one the reasons why life is so difficult for me. My stepfather abused my mother and my sisters sell themselves short to assist mommy. Writing this letter is extremely painful, but I need an avenue to express my frustration.
While you are reading this letter, think about poor people who are finding it difficult to make ends meet, finding a job in todayâs age is very hard. I asked a BIG man in society for some sort of assistance and this is what he said to me: âNothing from nothing leaves nothing.â
Use your imagination and figure out what he wants in return. With all these challenges Iâm facing in life, I often feel to give up, but thereâs an inner voice and strength that tells me not to give up.
I often hear some Vincentians say horrible things about persons who live on the street; they are called vagrants, stupid, vagabonds, worthless, and crazy, but we donât know the circumstances that cause these persons to live on the streets.
There are combinations of things that can drive persons to be discouraged: poor parenting, lack of opportunities, bad company and a society that expects the best. When one tries to accomplish a goal in life and fails, that person automatically gets pushed in the path of destruction by todayâs society. Itâs a shame how we find all sort of ways to discourage persons who require help; everyone in todayâs society is all for themselves, to hell with you who are struggling, once my family is alright.
But one thing I can tell you is that this problem poor people are facing is also societyâs problem. Persons who are fortunate may believe that this problem wonât affect them, but it affects all Vincentians one way or the other.
This society is failing us; it doesnât take a blind man to see; what happened to âLive and let your brother live?â Iâm truly hoping readers of this letter take some time and speak to underprivileged persons and you might understand what Iâm going through.
Iâm being called all sorts of names. My thoughts are going wild; persons around whom I spend time are not paying attention to what is occurring around them; all you hear is negativity.
Itâs all about condemnation. It appears no one desires to hear our story; believe me, we have a story to tell. There are many persons whoâve had or have some sort of problem. Should we write off these persons or should we give them the support which is required to make them better? Letâs stop, think and find ways to help persons who need assistance. Condemnation, name calling and reminding them about the mistakes they made in the past doesnât help at all; it only opens stale wounds. It is my desire that after reading this letter Vincentians would have a better understanding of poor peopleâs situation; one may not know the circumstances leading to our misfortune. Please, instead of passing judgement, show some compassion, because you never know what life has in store for you.
Alfred Bernard