How An Out Of Work Bartender Helped Shame The Big-Shots At Goldman Sachs… And Boy Did It Feel GOOD!
It was a little while after the disastrous economic crisis of 2008 and people all over the world were still reeling from it, even in New York City. I am well aware of the lack of food and services people who are struggling have to deal with on a daily basis, being a born-n-bred NY'er.
I was born on the lower east side and grew up in Hells Kitchen. And it is impossible not to see the hardships people face all around you… And it is concerning, to say the least.., that while all these good people struggle to find a way to put food on the table for themselves and their CHILDREN everyday… There is a large segment in this city who live like kings!
Im all for people working hard and achieving their goals and making lots, and lots of money -- I think that is great. But those same people walk the same streets as me.., and they see the same things as me -- and yet… Every night in this amazing city children and their parents go to sleep hungry!!!
I was in-between jobs at the time and I happen to be reading the Daily News one morning and an article by Michael Daly jumped off the page, the title read - "Donate Food So We Can Admire You." And he was holding a picture that read "Your City Needs You - Can You Help Feed A New Yorker?" Followed by another - "Hey, Goldman Sachs bankers: Donate to News food drive so we can like you, not hate you."
The city and even the world was not very happy with Goldman Sachs in those days and years to come after the economic crisis… And Mr. Daly was calling them out -- a true New Yorker thing to do!
In the article he was calling on the Hot-Shots at Goldman to bring some cans of food with them when they came to work the following morning. I doubt Lloyd Blankfein, Goldmans chairman at the time was eating food that came out of a can. He couldn't have made it easier for them, either -- listing the types of food that could feed a family of four.
When I read this article --I GOT PISSED OFF!!!
Now, I'm no saint… But I am a New Yorker thru and thru -- and I was brought up that way -- WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN. So, I immediately emailed Mr Daly and asked him exactly what time he would be there and where exactly would he be… I was not surprised when my the sound of my email went off just a minute later… It read: Thanks for your interest, Mack… And went on to give me the time and place. I emailed back -- I'LL BE THERE!
My blood was boiling and I had to do something… Like I said earlier, I was in-between bar jobs, at the time. So, I got on the phone and called some fellow bartenders and a few cool bar owners I'd known… I asked them if they could collect some food at there bars that night from there customers for a food drive and I would come by before closing to pick it up.
Needless to say, they thought I was on DRUGS!
But when I explained the situation, they were more than happy enough to ask there bar patrons to run up to the closest bodega and grab some of the foods I had listed for them.
Early the next morning I packed all the food into 2 HUGE sacks -- I mean Santa Claus sized sacks -- I wasn't sure I would be able to carry it all… Struggling down the subway with these things looked insane -- it was the morning rush hour and the trains were packed, especially the ones going to Wall St.
I walked down Broad St with these things -- I can't imagine what all these business types were thinking and I couldn't of cared less. Mr. Daly was standing there holding a sign that read: Daily News Food Drive, and next to him was a big EMPTY BOX.
When he saw me walking directly towards him with these giant sacks of food, his face lit up and he smiled from ear to ear. "You must be Mack" he said still smiling.., and with a little, knowing laugh, he went on to say: "YOU JUST BEAT ALL OF GOLDMAN SACHS."
I stuck around for just a minute and watched a few young ladies drop a can or 2 into the box. And before I left Mr. Daly asked me why I did all this… My reply was: "I decided to come down and show Goldman Sachs what real New Yorkers do." I wished him luck with the rest of the food drive and I took off up Broad St smiling all the way.
RESOURCES:
Great job man, I hate the culture surrounding some of these mega banks. I live right off battery park and get to meet a lot of them. Most have an extremely elitist attitude and don't care about the people around them. They are not all bad apples though, some are really nice and willing to help, work with and mentor others. The truth though is most of these guys aren't from New York, They are here to make money and go home many times and I think it helps feed the toxic culture surrounding their industry in New York because they don't see it as home, and they don't see the people as their people.
Thanks @williamdevine - I completely understand. I know plenty of these guys, myself and some are really great guys. But, even the ones I know could spread it around a little more. Goldman was getting slammed because lots of people believed that had a lot to do with that crisis and they were walking away free and clear. CHEERS!
Excellent post @macksby! I commend you. We need more people like you in this world. We can all make a difference. I'm following you now!
Thanks @ericvancewalton -- you are truly a man of great character... And thanks for checking out my post! I do believe we all can make a difference, once we decide to step out on our own and let the world see us for who we are... Thanks again!
Hey man, I just found some of your other posts. You really have a knack for writing! Great stuff.
WOW...That is really nice of you to say @trogdor -- I appreciate it. I've thought about it for awhile and when steemit came along -- I decided to finally take the plunge. Cheers and Thanks Again!