Some say we can end homelessness. I'm going to agree. So the question is how? I'm going to do my part to help find out.
Heading Home Hennepin
2007-02-09
Running Home
Some say we can end homelessness. I'm going to agree. So the question is how? I'm going to do my part to help find out.
Heading Home Hennepin
1 comment:
A homeless story. About a year ago, I lived in an area of Chicago that was being rapidly turned into condos. Apartments flats ripped down and foundations pounded in at an alarming rate. The building where I lived was an old clothing factory. Raw and spacious.
While walking home one night down a side street, I was mugged by a homeless man who used to live in the area. He only got away with ten dollars because of how I dealt with the situation.
The next day, I was speaking with Tony, a homeless man from the area, who I regularly bought coffee for, gave change and chatted with. He asked me who the guy who mugged me was. I told him. He told me he would take care of it. I never saw the mugger in the neighborhood again.
Tony didn't fall into the habit of categorizing people on their color or looks (like your radio DJ seemed to). He judged them on who they were and how they treated others around them. I consider Tony one of the finest people in that neighborhood. I spoke more with Tony than I did with any of the people who moved into the condos surrounding my building. (except, of course, when my roommate's truck was blocking their garage door... then they would speak).
In summer, my building was sold and we had to move out. I became homeless by choice. I threw all of my belongings into a 10' x 15' public storage space and couch surfed for a while. All while working two jobs. No one ever suspected I was homeless. I loved every minute of it.
My homelessness was a privileged one. Most homelessness is not. Regardless, to judge people's security on appearance is absolutely wrong... and just the kind of thing that radio DJs get off on.
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