Home › Forums › Open Discussion › PCC Lady in Red
- This topic has 20 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 2 months ago by kayo.
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February 14, 2016 at 9:00 pm #833979
aaParticipantOk, I have been wanting to hear what other people think about the woman who sits in front of PCC for a long time, its maddening to me! So many things… has PCC considered offering her a job? If not, why not? Real Change paper- what change? She’s been sitting there for YEARS!! And when you give her money, for sitting in a chair, all day every day, aren’t you really saying, here let me give you money because I have no faith in your ability to do more/ better things so I’ll support you in sitting right here for the rest of your life. Then I can go home feeling like I’ve helped someone. But have you helped? This is not disrespect to her, I just don’t think we are supporting her in a way to create REAL CHANGE.
February 15, 2016 at 12:49 am #833997
JanSParticipantaa…I’m pretty sure she is disabled. She has been a Real Change vendor for many years. It’s a legit job. If you don’t like Real Change, don’t read it. I usually give the vendor my two bucks, and tell them to sell the paper to the next person. These people have been homeless, and sometimes still are. It’s a chance for them to make money (they have to purchase the papers themselves first, I understand, at a discount, and then sell them). Don’t want one, don’t buy one. Maybe some day sit down, be friendly, talk with her. She’s very nice. She has a story, I’m sure. And if you want to support her more, give her 5 bucks…call it a tip. :)
February 15, 2016 at 5:24 am #834011
miwsParticipantFebruary 15, 2016 at 8:43 am #834016
JTBParticipantaa, It’s rather remarkable and telling that you would allow something to become “maddening” to you without first taking the time to learn a little about what is going on beyond a most superficial observation. Who knows you might spare yourself from having to endure bad humors and thus avoid an early demise as we’ve seen come to a number of prominent persons noted for angry rants about those they disdain. Andrew Breitbart and a prominent jurist come to mind.
- This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by JTB.
February 15, 2016 at 12:23 pm #834032
JanSParticipantoh, and aa? Yes, it was meant to disrespect her “And, when you give her money, for sitting in a chair, all day every day, aren’t you really saying, here let me give you money because I have no faith in your ability to do more/ better things so I’ll support you in sitting right here for the rest of your life.”
What do you really know about invisible disabilities?
February 15, 2016 at 12:26 pm #834034
dhgParticipantShe goes by the name of “Red” but her real name is Yvonne, so you can simply smile at her, say “Hi Red” and move along. I don’t know much about her personally but there is a Real Change write up about her here:
http://realchangenews.org/2010/08/24/vendor-week-yvonne-e-2010February 15, 2016 at 3:05 pm #834045
TanDLParticipantHey… she gets up and goes to work every day and while at work she is pleasant, courteous and willing to chat with her customers. That’s more than some of our elected officials in DC do! Leave her alone! She’s part of our community and she’s working! What the hell do you want from people?
February 15, 2016 at 3:10 pm #834048
TinkleParticipantSo does “aa” think the same about the person who delivers my “Seattle Times” newspaper?
-Tinkle
February 15, 2016 at 4:39 pm #834056
JeannieParticipantOK, I agree that we shouldn’t make assumptions about this nice woman “Red.” She is indeed a lovely woman. But no need to jump down aa’s throat. I suspect Red’s Real Change job doesn’t pay much, and, indeed, she would likely earn more and have better working conditions working at the PCC or elsewhere. But, again, we don’t know her story – perhaps there are circumstances keeping her from getting a “better” job. Maybe aa’s use of “maddening” and so on weren’t quite apt, but let’s cool it, people!
February 15, 2016 at 7:47 pm #834075
JoBParticipantIt may surprise people to learn that some people actually like reading the Real change newspaper…
and that it is possible to make enough money sitting there being a human vending machine to keep yourself off the streets.
Of course to do that you have to show up day after day and smile at people who often don’t smile back..
but it is possible.. even if your body could do other work that some might think more worthwhile…
Personally, i check for the current badge of every Real Change vendor i encounter … and then encourage them to hang in there.
Not every Vendor is on a path into a full time job with benefits.. but every vendor who hangs in there is pushing themselves closer to their dreams.
let’s hope everyone makes it.February 15, 2016 at 10:01 pm #834082
TanDLParticipantNope! Sorry! I will NOT “cool it” as this is a public forum where we get to express ourselves and challenge others if we choose, as long as we follow forum rules. And yes, I sometimes display emotion in my posts when I get my back up about something. So how is it that there are those among us who think they know best how other people should live their lives? Would you feel better if she would pace around selling her newspapers? Is the lack of bustle and “busy-ness” that bothers you? Is it that she hasn’t gone for a promotion, has chosen for whatever reason to stay away from climbing a corporate ladder or doesn’t seem to be applying for jobs you think she should pursue? What is it that bothers you so much about how she sells newspapers that you have to call her out in a public forum? It seems to me that we should respect other law abiding citizens enough to value that they get to make their own choices and walk their own paths without our judgment. I say that we should all follow our own leanings, concentrate on our own foibles, create our own futures and make our own choices before pointing out how others don’t measure up to our standards. Befriend this woman if you choose or strike up a casual conversation without judgment if you are truly curious about her, or NOT. If seeing her bothers you so much, use the other door so you don’t have to pass by her. By the way, I doubt seriously that this woman judges us while we bustle about. And a side note: Most of the great prophets of the great religions of the world very often just sat and did nothing more than talk and didn’t hold viable jobs. And one more thing: I don’t “give” her money. I purchase her wares. She asks for nothing more than that.
February 16, 2016 at 12:08 am #834098
aaParticipantWhew! Thanks to dhg for offering the article about Yvonne. I meant no disrespect to her whether you believe it or not. I’m sure I’m not the only person wondering how to help, what might help and what doesn’t and for me the real change paper hits a nerve because I don’t see it creating much real change. So the maddening was not about her. Do I know what I’m talking about? More then some and less than many. Peace out.
February 16, 2016 at 1:36 am #834101
JeannieParticipantCool it!
February 16, 2016 at 8:40 am #834118
JoBParticipantaa..
i have known several people for whom selling real change was a life changer..
and several people for whom getting to know a real change vendor was a life changerFebruary 16, 2016 at 9:03 am #834122
miwsParticipanti have known several people for whom selling real change was a life changer…
February 16, 2016 at 9:21 am #834124
JTBParticipantJeannie, if you look at the trajectory of this thread, I think it turned out to be pretty cool. And that’s considering how the expressed feelings and opinions of all the participants played a part in it, including yours :-) .
- This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by JTB. Reason: grammar
February 16, 2016 at 10:00 am #834129
CurateParticipantI’m torn. I am happy that Yvonne has found a job that enables her to stay afloat, and I admit I have never walked two feet in her shoes. So I can’t possibly claim to know what her life is like. But I also admit to sometimes finding it a minor annoyance to walk by her and answer her *every time* I want to go in the East entrance to PCC. She’s hardly “in your face.” But, truly, why do I need to have to answer the same question each and every time I walk into and out of a store? I have NO issues voluntarily chatting with folks in all walks of life (ask anyone who knows me). I just resent the forced choice and passive aggression that this situation continually presents. I’m sure I’ll get flamed for my insensitivity and privilege, but wanted to speak my mind.
February 16, 2016 at 11:49 am #834139
JoBParticipantas someone pointed out. you could always choose the other entrance to the store if her presence bothers you. It’s not like you have to walk around the building to do so.
she offers interaction
you choose whether or not to respond…how is this any different than the street vendors selling programs and memorabilia and .. at sporting events?
you do realize that a good number of those vendors and the people who sell you hotdogs and snacks at night time sporting events are homeless don’t you? Worse yet.. working the night shift at games means that they literally can’t get into a shelter to sleep that night.
does that bother you? it bothers me a great deal more to know those people will be sleeping on the street than to murmur a polite good day to Yvonne…
you don’t have to purchase the paper to return her greeting any more than you have to purchase anything in PCC simply because you walked in the door…
depriving someone of their livelihood simply because you feel uncomfortable about having to make a choice whether or not to participate is not a good thing.
next time you pass her you might think about how uncomfortable you would be if you learned she had lost her indoor housing because she was no longer able to sell her paper to those who wanted to purchase it.
just saying
February 16, 2016 at 2:18 pm #834159
JanSParticipantand , frankly, no one is under any obligation to talk with anyone (except maybe the office who just pulled you over, and the subsequent judge – lol). No one HAS to respond to her every time. Or a simple “no thanks” would suffice. Do you go to Safeway down the street ever? Do you feel an obligation to speak with the person selling Real Change outside their main door? Same difference, essentially. You can simply walk by and ignore her…or use the other door :D
February 16, 2016 at 3:38 pm #834169
KK50ParticipantI met Red over 12 years ago, before she had permanent housing. I was pregnant at the time and she 1st met my son when he was a few months old. I was so happy to run into her again selling Real change a few years later. She has watched my son grow up, he’s 12 now. He only knows her as a hard working lady who travels a good distance by bus to make available to us a great newspaper and a smile. So much respect and fondness for that lady in red.
February 17, 2016 at 9:42 am #834245
kayoParticipantIt only bothers you if you let it. She is very kind and polite. Maybe if you think of her as a greeter you could get beyond your annoyance at her presence? I am glad she is there because there have been plenty of days where I’ve been a little grumpy/stressed and her kind greetings have brightened my day even when I didn’t have a dollar to spare.
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