I am actually in the process of writing about my trip to Peru, but just had to release some thoughts about a recent article that was published at our local newspaper. I have tried my best to let this article not disturb me, but I find myself angered and saddened by what was written. In the article he interviewed two homeless men he found at the camp, drinking beer, and just laying around. They scoff at the organizations that have been providing them with money, clothing and food. The author -- through his interview with these two men -- portray their surroundings as dirty and full of dangerous people and he is "disconcerted" by the fact that they have decent-looking clothes and seem to be well-fed.
I do not blame the men he interviewed for giving this impression. I am angry towards the author for focusing on the two men who would perpetuate the myths our society holds about homelessness. At the same time he did a great disservice to the many people and organizations that are pulling all their resources together to provide those around us in need with their basic needs and their dignity. He did not bother to interview those who choose to look for work, those who choose to spend their time at the daytime drop in center for a structured and safe environment, he never bothered to mention that the gentlemen he interviewed are known to have mental illnesses that they cannot seek treatment for because 1) they do not recognize their real need so they self-medicate with alcohol; and, 2) they do not have the services and money available to them.
He chose to leave out the families that live in their automobiles or transfer from one temporary home to another as they try to sort out their situation. He chose to leave out the students who cannot afford to pay for tuition and pay for rent in Corvallis. He chose to leave out those who have had to turn to the streets because they have either lost their jobs, have had to pay for high medical expenses, or have had to leave sad, sad situations. Almost everyday I receive requests for assistance from people who have just had one misfortune after another, but are working their hardest to turn their situations around.
I am mostly saddened by the fact that this author would use an avenue seen as being credible to continue to perpetuate the myths that have hindered our society from reaching out to the homeless in our community. He has hurt those who need help so much more than he could imagine. Already there were online responses saying that we need to get rid of these dangerous people, that we should really be getting rid of gay people, etc. Why do we do this to each other?
I have invited the author to spend time in the Corvallis Daytime Drop In Center (they provide breakfast, lunch, and structured activities for the homeless) and to volunteer with the numerous organizations that are trying so hard to provide for those in our community that so desperately need our help. I don't expect he will actually take me up on this, but I hope that it will at least challenge him.
How do we challenge ourselves to truly understand the families that live under the bridge, the ones we see as lazy and not doing anything with his life, the people that we see as "crazy" or "wierd"? How often do we actually try to find out why their lives are the way they are? How do we challenge ourselves to walk in the shoes of those who don't have what we have? How do we see Jesus in the man who sits around the camp drinking his beer all day long and seemingly refusing to help himself?
If you are interested, here is a link to the article... http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2008/09/05/news/community/3loc31_clmwray.txt
And if you're interested as well, here's a copy of the letter that I sent to the editor... (Watch out! Michi's at it again!)
I am so deeply saddened by the article written by Mr. Pat Wray entitled “Homeless in Corvallis: A Snapshot”. I would like to request Mr. Wray to take a wider angle to this snapshot. This article perpetuates the myths that pervade our society about homelessness and does a great disservice to the numerous people and organizations in our community that are working hard to provide our brothers and sisters with their basic needs and give them their dignity.
Mr. Wray does not take into account that the gentlemen that he interviewed represent a minority of our homeless population. The faces that represent the homeless of Corvallis consist of hardworking men and women who are struggling to meet their basic needs for one reason or another. There are the faces of the children who have to live in automobiles or temporarily in the homes of others – unable to call any place “home”. There are the faces of those who are mentally ill who are unable to gain control of their illness because of lack of services and resources. Perhaps rather than flashing a snapshot of laziness and drunkenness, Mr. Wray could have shown us the true reality of the way of life our homeless population has to live with.
He should also recognize that the process that the organizations he mentioned in his article take the steps that they do in order to fairly distribute the limited resources that are gathered. The gentlemen he interviewed very obviously could use more services that our community is unable to serve them. Mr. Wray should applaud the organizations and individuals who have provided these gentlemen decent clothing and nourishing meals. If there are some who have learned to use the system to their advantage, perhaps the organizations that continue to serve them would rather err on the side of compassion than in being judgmental and cold-hearted.
I find it disconcerting that you would use an avenue of credibility to play on the sad state of others. It is through harmful articles such as these that hinder our society from taking on its true role – to ensure the safety, the basic needs, and the dignity of those in need.
Mr. Wray, I invite you to spend one morning with the Corvallis Daytime Drop In Center and listen to the stories of those who choose to spend their day in a safe and structured environment. I invite you to interview or even volunteer with the numerous organizations (Stone Soup, Vina Moses, St. Vincent de Paul, Men’s Winter Shelter, WeCare, St. Mary’s Church Poor Fund, and many more) in our community that serve those who you have given us a snapshot of. I would like to see what kind of picture you portray after doing so.
Michi Gonzalez
Social Justice Coordinator
St. Mary’s Church Corvallis
2 comments:
Bravo Michi! Fantastic response to the very frustrating article (keep at it!) Has the writer of the article responded at all? One of the best things that folks can do to truly understand the "homeless problem" is to understand the homeless themselves. And the only way to that is to sit down and spend time with them, hear their stories. And not many are willing (able?) to do that.
If we could just sit together, break bread together...
Clarification. Let me say instead: 'to hear each others' stories.' Because when share with each other, openly, it is no longer an "us" and "them" situation. We then honor each other by opening up to one another. Like your later post about hearing the stories of Dale and Stretch. You found yourself sharing thoughts with them both that related to your own path.
Although he came in as a recipient of care you were ministered to by his example of unconditional love. The conversation thus became an loving exchange, and a cross-over from one beloved child of God to another.
I am reminded of something Dorothy said about the beginning of the Catholic Worker Movement: "It all happened while we sat there talking..."
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