“Homeless” is a Poor Adjective
Created By Danny Short
You are in one of two
categories:
A: You see “Homelessness” as a
problem.
B: You see “Homelessness”
simply as a way of life.
Interestingly the majority of those who fall into category A are indirectly
affected or not affected at all by the “homeless” population. Group A and
Group B seem to be separated by the suffix “ness”. (Or the difference
between these two groups is largely separated by those who could tell you
about the “homeless” or even what it is like to be “homeless”; and those
who are limited to their opinions about “homelessness”.) Upon further
investigation of the four letter suffix one could, and should, conclude
that “homelessness” is a frothy stereotype that causes hardship and pain
for ALL.
The
states that “no one should be
homeless”. They continue on to say “While the
causes leading to homelessness are diverse and
complex, one thing remains constant among
those experiencing it – they are without a home
and they are suffering.”
Before you join in the popular bandwagon of
“caring for humanity without asking humanity how
they would like to be cared for”, Lets take a closer
look at what the
is actually saying. . .
. . .
• “no one should be homeless”
In a “free” country (or anywhere really) why is it ok to say what
someone should or should not experience? The AZCEH is
essentially saying: We know best how others should live, and
defiantly better than Jesus Christ. (Christ, as The Bible
describes, was homeless.)
• “they are without a home and they are suffering.”
As I will show on the next slides, these individuals are not
homeless, they are better described as addressless. Secondly,
many of these addressless individuals appear to be happier
than many wealthy people, or at least it appears that way.
THIS IS ____________
This man asked to not be named. He has lived peacefully in Tempe. He walks around
town with a shopping cart full of musical instruments and plays gigs at local bars.
He usually plays Jazz music. He makes a modest income, but live without an address
and is happy, social, safe and provides a service that many enjoy on their night
out.
This is Nina, aka Lady Phoenix. She has lived in Phoenix for several decades. Nina described to me several struggles that she has endured. She
humorously started to tell me her story with “ Well I was born ass first and left handed…” Nina has lived a life plagued with mental illness and
substance abuse. When I met her she still had the hospital ID bands on her wrist from her most recent hospitalization at a psychiatric facility. Nina has
been able to stay off of heroin for the last 15 years. She still struggles with mental illness daily. She is pleasant and friendly. She has a love for life that
is rare. Nina is viewed as someone who lives in a state of homelessness. She is a wonderful, joyful, loving woman.
This is a photograph of Joyce and her dog Zoe. Joyce has difficulty keeping a job because of a condition that causes her to have
seizures periodically. Joyce has been homeless for several years. She is a woman who accepts food for herself and her dog from
strangers and food lines. Joyce stays in shelters, when a shelter is the best alternative. Joyce through natural adaptation, largely
because of her seizures, has found a way of life that works for her. Joyce fully acknowledges the struggles and fears that she
faces each day like finding food for herself and her dog, keeping her belongings from getting stolen, and finding a safe enough
place to sleep at night. Joyce is thankful for those who reach out to help her, but as suggested above, does not want to utilize
many of the “resources” available to her because she often feels disrespected and looked down upon. When Joyce was asked
what is one thing she wished she could have from society she gave a beautiful, open ended simple response. Joyce said with a
quiver in her voice, “To not be judged.”
So, what do we do…..?
Maybe nothing. Joyce simply asked to not be judged. If you are curious, or feel
you want to help someone, talk to them, but more importantly
LISTEN.
Everyone is different. Find out if they even want or need help. Free your mind of
stereotypes and prejudices that you my have.
"What I wonder is why...people are so afraid of everybody
coming up with their own reality on their own terms."
-Jerry Garcia
References
Dan & Jan, Addressless Individuals. 2013. Tucson, AZ
Nina aka “Lady Phoenix”, Addressless Individual. 2015. Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness (AZCEH), 2011. 141 E Palm Ln Ste
105, Phoenix, AZ
85004 - 602-340-9393. Taken from http://www.azceh.org/understanding-homelessness
What Would Jack Do. 2012. Image taken from http://whatwouldjackdo.net/2012/01/i-fearchristians-they-are-so-unlike-your-christ.html
Jerry Garcia, The wisdom of Jerry Garcia, Wolf Valley Books with permission
Group 1995.
of Carol Publishing