There are many reasons why poor people are poor. The majority are poor by historical accidents and social injustices (ex. imperialism, socially-structured unequal distribution of goods and opportunities, which actually affect large portions of human populations). This type of poor people should be respected and assisted in their just fight to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Some are poor by bad habits and decisions. This type of poor should be educated, trained, and rehabilitated. At no instance should a person be punished for being poor. Holduppers or rapists should be punished for their crimes but not for being poor. If poor people are punished just by being poor, that is called persecution. If poor people are not given proper human respect just because they are poor, that is called discrimination or prejudice.