WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:08.920 Homeless. Whose problem? 00:10.300 --> 00:13.520 Homelessness is a growing problem around the world. 00:14.160 --> 00:18.340 A United Nations report suggests that 100 million people are homeless, 00:18.700 --> 00:22.580 and another 1.6 billion people lack adequate housing. 00:23.120 --> 00:26.260 Many countries are having difficulty keeping pace with the problem, 00:26.260 --> 00:30.840 which grows regardless of the wealth of nations or the lack thereof. 00:31.140 --> 00:35.460 For instance, there are around 60,000 homeless in New York City, 00:35.900 --> 00:38.160 where some of the world's wealthiest live. 00:39.060 --> 00:43.020 What is even more troubling is the fact that the ever-spreading culture of hate 00:43.020 --> 00:47.080 results in homeless people being more and more treated like criminals. 00:47.840 --> 00:51.460 For instance, spikes have begun to turn up across the cities of England, 00:51.860 --> 00:54.820 in places where homeless people previously tried to sleep. 00:54.820 --> 00:58.300 Street fixtures are now designed so that no one can lie on them. 00:58.940 --> 01:02.820 Rough sleepers report being hosed with water by security guards. 01:03.200 --> 01:06.840 Similar spikes and measures have begun to appear in other cities of the world, 01:07.320 --> 01:10.980 including Paris, Montreal, New York, and Tokyo. 01:11.800 --> 01:16.540 In Australia, move-on laws permit authorities to disperse homeless people, 01:16.740 --> 01:21.380 where a person's mere presence could cause anxiety to another person. 01:21.380 --> 01:25.560 Paris police are reported to have taken the blankets of homeless people 01:25.560 --> 01:27.580 in an attempt to send them away. 01:28.240 --> 01:33.000 In other words, such hostility is increasing at an alarming rate. 01:33.580 --> 01:37.200 For example, recently, footage surfaced showing how people 01:37.200 --> 01:41.040 laughed at a drowning refugee in Venice's Grand Canal. 01:41.040 --> 01:57.320 He died minutes later in front of their eyes. 01:57.320 --> 02:13.920 In August 2015, a Greek Coast Guard vessel pierced a migrant boat with a lance. 02:14.480 --> 02:17.480 Migrants in the water were then rescued by the Turkish Coast Guard. 02:17.480 --> 02:30.100 Or remember how that infamous Hungarian camerawoman 02:30.100 --> 02:33.940 tripped a refugee man running with his child in his arms. 02:33.940 --> 02:58.240 Or where European police tear-gassed and used batons against refugees 02:58.240 --> 03:01.900 that had children, women, and elderly amongst them. 03:07.900 --> 03:10.740 We can cite many more examples. 03:11.180 --> 03:15.340 We should remember that these people have to deal with lack of a safe shelter, 03:15.820 --> 03:18.100 food, warmth, and privacy. 03:18.660 --> 03:24.240 Not to mention the constant threat of abuse, violence, exploitation, and humiliation. 03:24.240 --> 03:27.420 A large number of them suffer from medical problems. 03:27.980 --> 03:31.140 Children, women, and the elderly are particularly at risk, 03:31.580 --> 03:33.960 especially during the winter months. 03:34.400 --> 03:36.800 Thankfully, there are good developments too. 03:37.140 --> 03:42.080 In a show of solidarity, many British people chose to cover the spikes with mattresses 03:42.080 --> 03:43.680 and cushions across the city. 03:44.020 --> 03:48.040 Countless homeless charities are working full-time to do everything they can 03:48.040 --> 03:49.680 to ease the pain of these people, 03:49.680 --> 03:53.640 who deserve dignity and respect just as much as anyone else. 03:56.420 --> 03:59.440 We should remember that no one chooses to be homeless, 03:59.980 --> 04:03.760 and certainly no one deserves to be treated with hostility because of it. 04:04.020 --> 04:07.360 In truth, they deserve and need even more kindness 04:07.360 --> 04:10.040 for experiencing something so difficult. 04:10.460 --> 04:15.040 There is no doubt that many countries have made well-intentioned efforts to solve the problem, 04:15.520 --> 04:17.620 but clearly they are not enough. 04:17.620 --> 04:21.820 For this reason, it is crucial to carefully devise strategies 04:21.820 --> 04:23.900 and set the priorities right. 04:27.360 --> 04:31.060 Some of the most urgent and immediate steps can include the following. 04:31.400 --> 04:34.420 The number of shelters and aid workers should be quickly increased 04:34.420 --> 04:36.560 to save as many people as possible. 04:36.940 --> 04:39.080 Funds should be raised through simple tax schemes 04:39.080 --> 04:41.420 that are not too burdensome on the public. 04:41.420 --> 04:56.220 It should be made impossible to force anyone to evacuate his home 04:56.220 --> 04:59.240 unless he has a safe and dignified place to go, 04:59.400 --> 05:00.640 which has proper privacy. 05:01.460 --> 05:05.240 Minimum wages must be sufficient to pay the rent and buy food. 05:05.240 --> 05:10.220 Health care costs should not strip people of their ability to pay their rent 05:10.220 --> 05:11.520 and render them homeless. 05:19.360 --> 05:23.120 It is important for conscientious people to imagine themselves 05:23.120 --> 05:24.780 being in the shoes of these people. 05:25.620 --> 05:27.400 No one would want to be in that position, 05:27.400 --> 05:31.020 and no one would certainly want to be treated with hostility 05:31.020 --> 05:32.600 because they didn't have a home. 05:33.020 --> 05:34.320 So without further ado, 05:34.700 --> 05:36.300 let's make up for our mistakes 05:36.300 --> 05:38.160 and choose to be better, 05:38.700 --> 05:39.240 kinder, 05:39.640 --> 05:40.820 and more compassionate. 05:40.820 --> 05:41.820 Have a great day. 05:41.840 --> 05:46.760 Have a great day. 05:47.320 --> 05:49.480 Have a great day. 05:51.280 --> 05:52.820 Have a great day. 05:53.060 --> 05:58.180 Have a great day. 05:58.440 --> 05:59.480 Have a great day. 05:59.480 --> 06:04.320 Have a great day. 06:04.360 --> 06:06.340 Have a great day. 06:08.580 --> 06:08.880 Have a great day. 06:09.360 --> 06:10.740 Have a great day.