Help Me, I'm Italian
When someone is really in need, should it matter where they are from?
While I was riding my bike past the Roman Forum today, the sight of this man got to me. I pulled over to toss him a coin, then I had to snap his picture. The more I thought about it, the more his sign struck me as odd.
I am in need.
Thank you.
I am Italian. (As if an afterthought, and in classic Roman dialect: "Sò Italiano")
On Via dei Fori Imperiali in Rome, probably the most touristy street in Italy, would passersby sightseeing in Rome would be more sympathetic or generous because he is Italian? Naturally, I am not sightseeing in Rome but a resident here. If you ask me, all the poor are created equal (except maybe for gypsies in Rome, but that's a whole new can of beans).
Any thoughts on this one?
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Actually, I would think that an Italian man in Italy would have more opportunities to get work and would not suffer discrimination like immigrants do. I've seen this man before and I thought the same thing about his sign. It reminded me of a similar situation in NYC. A young guy was leading his extremely pregnant girlfriend through the subway cars while begging for money. He ended each plea with "We are German. See! Look at our passports." He continued by showing everyone his passport as if the people of NYC should give him money for this reason alone. It's as if they are insinuating that they should be helped first since they are Europeans. There are so many people who are born in poverty, somehow escape their dire place of birth, miraculously reach the shores of a rich nation and by begging, manage to live better than they would have otherwise. This Italian beggar may be in need, but he always looks well dressed and well fed. I'd rather give the change I can spare to someone who is actually hungry.