British guy in Texas here. This trip has been an eye-opener.

I'm currently in Austin, Texas (a blue city, I know) and I've been here for a total of 5 days. I've been enjoying the scenery, the people and the food as much as I can. This trip was a reward for me after 6 months of working and saving up. My time in Texas is coming to an end, and I'm going to be heading towards New Mexico before making my way back to my original home state of New York. I've been to America quite a few times, but something about this trip feels different. <br><br>I've been having a great time so far, but the poverty is shocking. So many homeless people wandering the streets, begging for *anything*. <br><br>One night, at around 2am, I heard officers manhunt a homeless woman that was sleeping in public. I don't know what the outcome was, but I felt so sorry for her. She has no where to go, and everyone in this world deserves a roof and some food, and if you give someone such necessities you have nothing to fear. <br><br>Also, food is so cheap here yet I still see working-class people struggling to afford to feed themselves and their family. How do you explain to your child why you *can't* buy them food? How do you explain to them why you can't feed yourself? I feel so sorry for them, and I think that it's our duty as human beings to help those in need as much as we can. <br><br>I've also been baffled at how often I hear the phrase "You do you" and this concept of 'not caring for others because I have to look after myself.' I don't agree. <br><br>I felt awful when I couldn't help a homeless man who was begging for food. I knew I had nothing on me, and I didn't want to tell him I had nothing on me. I knew he would ask me to buy something, and I could afford to, but I didn't want to go to the shop in fear of him being gone by the time I returned. So I lied. I told him I was broke, and to my horror he offered me *his last $20* because he thought I was struggling. I felt so bad. I'm not broke. I have enough money to see myself through this trip. And I had nothing on me that day. I had to decline, and I felt this overwhelming amount of guilt all day. <br><br>To those who are struggling in Texas (and America as a whole), I feel you. We have a similar issue in the UK, but not on this scale. I hope that you get the help that you need, and that you don't have to go hungry tonight. <br><br>To those who are privileged, please don't be ignorant. Don't invade their space. Don't stare at them. Just be kind. I don't want to sound like a fucking saint. I don't want to sound as if I am some holy person who is capable of helping everyone in need. I want to sound like a human being. A person who has respect and empathy. <br><br>I don't want to sound as if I am shaming those who are privileged and won't help others, but if you have enough money to afford to help somebody, you have enough to help somebody. You're not in the same situation as them. You don't need to look after yourself because you have enough. <br><br>I don't want to sound as if I am shaming those who are privileged and won't help others, but if you have enough money to afford to help somebody, you have enough to help somebody. You're not in the same situation as them. You don't need to look after yourself because you have enough. <br><br>And if you feel as if you can't help those in need, then please *educate yourself.* I don't want to sound like a saint, but I feel as if I have to say this. <br><br>Until tomorrow, have a lovely night. I hope you all get enough to eat tonight.