Say no.

While you are walking on the streets with your girlfriends, a woman walks up to you. She has long hair, make up on, a fitting shirt, jeans and heels on. She starts telling you that she just got out of prison, gives you a glimpse of this torn and tattered card and tries to sell something she claimed that she made to fund for her schooling. She said she would prefer to sell the card she made (a very simple card with quotes printed on it) for $10 and hope that we will help her. Looking at our reluctance, she decreases the price and offered that we an give her any amount we want. Still, no gesture of reaching out to our pockets or bag, she appeals to our sense of guilt, telling us to give people like her a second chance in life and hopes that the society will accept and not look down on her.

At this point of time, one of your girlfriend took out her wallet. On after another, they did. And it just left with you and another friend who thinks that this is a scam. But due to peer pressure and the woman looking at you with intimidating eyes, breaking you down slowly, you submit to her approaching hand unwillingly.

I always tell myself to just walk away when such things happen but it is never easy.
I always tell myself to stand firm and say no but it turns out a failure everytime.

It is not that I do not want to give ex-prisoners a second chance in life. I respect and admire ex-prisoners who decide to become a volunteer and share their story, set up their own business and truly turning over a new leaf. These are inspiring stories that people should know about because we can learn something from them. Ultimately, this will contribute to a more sensitive, understanding and accepting society.

However, I condemn people who tries to take advantage of the public's sympathy. The way they put themselves are as though they are blaming the society for not giving them another chance and we are responsible for who they are now. They present themselves in a negative light that does not command respect from the public. These people will walk away with what they came for but will that set them free self-pity? Will that allow them to fit in without distrust and with true acceptance?