General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 7 Things No One Tells You About Being Homeless - Cracked.com [View all]Aristus
(66,656 posts)lifestyles is more than simply one of advances in technological infrastructure.
Theirs was a tribal lifestyle. Everyone felt a responsibility to look after everyone else. To ensure that no one went without basic needs. And there was likely little judgement involved in helping someone less fortunate or in difficult circumstances. Not like our society, in which the first reaction from many to a homeless person may be: "He's just scamming people; he should get a job!"
Not to mention that not only do people not see the weak, addicted or underprivileged as a responsibility, many of us see them as easy targets. I've had patients get rolled for their medications or what little money they may have. They've been brough into the clinic with maxillary or supraorbital fractures.
Our society lives by the law of the jungle: Get whatever you can, even if you have to take it from someone else; and crush anyone who tries to take it away from you.
Native American society was ordered more closely along what I like to call the Law of the Desert: If someone comes to you in need, you help them. Food, water, clothing, protection, whatever they might need; even if it's your worst enemy. Because tomorrow, it might be you who is in need.