HW22072013

LaFlamme 1 Lori L. LaFlamme

Dr. Nancy Noonan

English 1005-321

21 July 2013

People on Welfare are Justified in Feeling Ashamed

The recipients of welfare have the burden to show proof of their need for public assistance

which can be very devastating to anyone who has always been self-supporting, but is now down

on their luck, perhaps due to loss of their job or illness. It is always hard to ask for help and

people on welfare are made to feel ashamed by others and are justified in their feelings.

Welfare recipients are given vouchers for food aka food stamps. It always seemed while I

was in line at the supermarket and someone had food stamps to pay for their groceries the cashier

always seemed to have to yell extra loud that he or she need change for food stamps. While

doing this the rest of the patrons in line could not help but turn around and look at the person the

cashier was waiting on causing them undo embarrassment. I believe the system they are now

using has electronic cards which is probably less embarrassing for them as they will not have to

face those pretentious cashiers.

While speaking of pretentious people, the insensitivity of some human beings toward fellow

man can be despicable. Too many people just assume that because you are on welfare you are

either uneducated, lazy and just want the system to support you. They never take into

consideration that the person may be ill or disabled and waiting for the paperwork to be

processed and they need to live and eat in the interim.

Bear in mind that life altering events can happen in an instant and you

could be the next one on the receiving end of the comments, whispers and looks. I try to live by

an old Indian proverb which more people should be cognizance of. “Do not judge your neighbor

until you walk two moons in his moccasins”. Cheyenne

That was beautifully said Lori, I always hear people saying something negative, that I think you said that all very well! Zahava!