Homeless people are the most genuine people I have ever met. Unlike many of us, they have nothing else to lose for they have lost everything in their lives, so they present themselves wholly and authentically.

Each has a story to tell, and despite their predicaments, they are able to smile and go about their daily lives with a facade of joy and enthusiasm. They are open for dialogue, for conversation on a nonsensical topic as long as you keep them company. In fact, most, if not few, long for companionship, but given their situation, they are easily lost in the crowd, out in our periphery.

As a child, just like every children who grew up watching and reading about superheroes, I had a strong desire to own a superpower. Unfortunately, like that of the existence of Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, the likelihood of my possessing superhuman qualities is close to none. Still, there are hundreds and thousands of people around the nation, and all over the world, who quite have a superhuman ability we only see in movies.

Who are they? Homeless people.

Homeless people have the power of invisibility. They are stationed in our street corners, bundled up with worn-out sleeping bags and tattered clothing, overlooked by passersby. We don’t see them — or choose not to see them— but they see us. Only their existence is given light through social media and viral videos.

I compiled three different YouTube videos that feature human philanthropy that occurred in the United States and abroad. One video has gotten at least 180,000 views online, while the other 1,500,000 and counting. All the videos start with an introduction that goes along the line of, “Hi, I’m [name] and today I will be going around the neighborhood giving out [material] to homeless people.” Then the movie proceeds to focus on poor, vulnerable, and “different” homeless people as the protagonist come to aid.

The videos are all heartwarming and commendable until you see an edit that includes a hashtag and a one-liner prompting you to “Subscribe” to their channels. The videos become more retrospective, appearing to have had positive impacts, and less about the charity. Ultimately, human philanthropy becomes all about the person who did the deed and not necessarily about the “Other.” The video(s) would then end explicitly (or within the blurb) stating that the experience changed. Their lives. Forever.

The more devious thing about the situation is the rampant publicizing of videos for the purpose of selling merchandises. Of course, viewers would be inclined to purchase or to fund the cause given that the videos touched their hearts. It’s disgusting. Profiting from the homeless people needs to stop.

It’s become a model of America: I pretend to help you, while I get the credit (literal: money, audience, and fame) I deserve for as little effort as possible —with the help of YouTube and its corporate ads. It’s a feel good deed and it is too for the viewers, as after viewing the act of kindness brings joy to their day.

Is the act of helping homeless people on tape an act of kindness at all? Or is it just a ploy, forced and acted out? Do these people still help others without the camera rolling?

Plus, why do own act of kindness needs to be filmed? Why can’t we just help those in need without putting on the camera, sharing and bragging to the world and saying, “Look, watch this video showing me helping people?”

An act of kindness is a powerful agent of change, but if you want to help. Help. There’s no need for it to be uploaded online and shared with a hashtag.