Stereotypes Cut Both Ways

[An interaction with a person after describing what UC does]

X: These people are not use to that nice of stuff. I know where you can get 100 beds with mattresses for free.
PS: Really?
X: Yes. They are surplus military cots with foam pads. I slept on one of them for years. If they were good enough for me, they are good enough for them.


There appear to be several implications behind the above interaction. I suppose the implication was that since the poor are not use to such nice things, they either would not take care of such a nice bed or they might sell it if it were given to them.

I hear some stereotyping going on in this interaction. Not take care of the beds? So all poor people don’t take care of their stuff or are dirty and messy? I don’t think that being messy or neat are traits specific to a socioeconomic class. I know of many well-off people who are messy and don’t take care of their stuff. The other implication is that they will not appreciate what was given to them, thus they would either not take care of it or sell it. I suspect the stereotype would also include that they would use the money from selling the beds for something frivolous or even destructive like drugs. I doubt that the above person was thinking they might use the money to meet some important basic need.

The other implication in the interaction is that they shouldn't get something so nice because they are poor. After all, I didn’t have such a nice bed when I was a kid, so what is good enough for me should be good enough for them.

There are some elements of truth in what this person is saying, as there are in all stereotypes. It is true that the poor would never be able to purchase a new hand-made bed with new mattresses and linen. It may also be the case that many of the poor are in such desperate need that it would be a temptation to take something that was given to them and sell it to meet what they might perceive as a more pressing basic need, like food for their hungry children or to pay the rent so that they don’t have to be evicted to the streets.

The problem with stereotypes is that they are cynical and can cause us to be partial or prejudice. The cynicism can run both ways. It is just as easy to hear in the above interaction that the person believes that because of who the poor are, they don’t deserve such a nice bed. When they learn to take care of themselves and their things, then they might be worth of such a nice bed. I could handle a nice bed, but they cannot. It is easy to think that this person is just making excuses not being compassionate and generous. I am not holding my breath that this person is going to show up with 100 free cots for us or him/her to give away.

Both characterizations are unfair. Let’s reject the cynical attitudes that are reinforced by stereotypes. Let’s take the element of truth and be smart about it. We very well could give away cots. Cots would be a step up for many. We could also be much more economical and obtain a simple metal bed frame at Walmart. We could build a simpler bunk bed out of two by fours, sort of a camp style bed. We have thought about these options. We have reasons why we chose to do what we do. I will post on them next. After making and giving away about 40 beds, we have learned a few things. We have learned them in a way that you never could by sitting on the sidelines taking pot shots at efforts of compassion.

What have we learned? It is time take a look at how smart we are being, while continuing to try and become even more compassionate and generous, not less.