If you're a person who lends a helping hand to the poor, I think you're awesome. If you're a person who helps a physically-challenged person take a load off, you've got my respect. If you're someone who drones on and on about the unfortunate situation of homeless People, please fuck off.
Since grade school, I've been beaten over the head with the plight of the homeless. Teachers were constantly reminding me that homeless People are out there and they need my help. It's the first thing a lot of People bring up when considering the problems of the world.
I submit that we put this idea of homelessness to bed, and start finding solutions to problems that are A) Solvable B) Real problems.
The word "homeless" assumes a problem that does not really exist. You see, it's not that these People don't have, or can't find, a home. They sleep at shelters, under overpasses, in abandoned buildings, or quite frankly - on a friend's couch. That is, until morning comes, and it's time to go wander around again.
These People are not homeless. I say they are homefree. For whatever reason - perhaps their alter ego tells them to wander, or maybe they refuse to get a grip on their destructive habits, or perhaps their desire to experience every jam band show leaves them on an endless quest to be 'out and about in the fuckin' free world' - these People just don't consider a home to be an essential part of life.
So, I ask you...
What the fuck do you think YOU'RE gonna do about it?
Allow me to digress:
The same People who think human beings can save the planet from climate change think they can do something to keep the homeless from being homeless; these People who are ego-maniacs but simultaneously advocate silencing the ego; these "God is within" types who support a government that aims to crush and silence the God within each individual.
The hypocrisy runs deep on the level of the educated elite, but in most cases, on the level of the masses, I believe these People are just fundamentally confused.
Digression cease-fire!
Thing is, I generally like homeless People. They are each unique in their choice of clothing (Don't think for a second these People aren't resourceful and smart. Ever wonder why they wear winter clothes in July? Because if they wore flip flops and shorts, they'd look like an eccentric vacationer, and eccentric vacationers don't get handouts). They are also unique in their selection of reasons for why they need my change. My favorite thing about them is their ability to instantly modulate their voices and personalities. I find this to be both astounding and impressive, and it almost makes me want to take one home and study him for my own knowledge.
This would not work out though, because these People are, by definition, homeless. Any attempt to shelter them is challenged by their unruly, nomadic nature, and so both I and my homeless companion would be left without an accord.
Given their commitment to being out and about, free of the shackles of a shelter, living a life they see fit, I posit that we start calling these People "homefree" rather than "homeless". If we changed the word, we could move forward, solving the problems that exist within our own selves. That's the true starting point in this world.
Whatdyathink?
Image found at homelessmanspeaks.com
Since grade school, I've been beaten over the head with the plight of the homeless. Teachers were constantly reminding me that homeless People are out there and they need my help. It's the first thing a lot of People bring up when considering the problems of the world.
I submit that we put this idea of homelessness to bed, and start finding solutions to problems that are A) Solvable B) Real problems.
The word "homeless" assumes a problem that does not really exist. You see, it's not that these People don't have, or can't find, a home. They sleep at shelters, under overpasses, in abandoned buildings, or quite frankly - on a friend's couch. That is, until morning comes, and it's time to go wander around again.
These People are not homeless. I say they are homefree. For whatever reason - perhaps their alter ego tells them to wander, or maybe they refuse to get a grip on their destructive habits, or perhaps their desire to experience every jam band show leaves them on an endless quest to be 'out and about in the fuckin' free world' - these People just don't consider a home to be an essential part of life.
So, I ask you...
What the fuck do you think YOU'RE gonna do about it?
Allow me to digress:
The same People who think human beings can save the planet from climate change think they can do something to keep the homeless from being homeless; these People who are ego-maniacs but simultaneously advocate silencing the ego; these "God is within" types who support a government that aims to crush and silence the God within each individual.
The hypocrisy runs deep on the level of the educated elite, but in most cases, on the level of the masses, I believe these People are just fundamentally confused.
Digression cease-fire!
Thing is, I generally like homeless People. They are each unique in their choice of clothing (Don't think for a second these People aren't resourceful and smart. Ever wonder why they wear winter clothes in July? Because if they wore flip flops and shorts, they'd look like an eccentric vacationer, and eccentric vacationers don't get handouts). They are also unique in their selection of reasons for why they need my change. My favorite thing about them is their ability to instantly modulate their voices and personalities. I find this to be both astounding and impressive, and it almost makes me want to take one home and study him for my own knowledge.
This would not work out though, because these People are, by definition, homeless. Any attempt to shelter them is challenged by their unruly, nomadic nature, and so both I and my homeless companion would be left without an accord.
Given their commitment to being out and about, free of the shackles of a shelter, living a life they see fit, I posit that we start calling these People "homefree" rather than "homeless". If we changed the word, we could move forward, solving the problems that exist within our own selves. That's the true starting point in this world.
Whatdyathink?
Image found at homelessmanspeaks.com
Well said and skillfully written. People look down on those who do not have homes, but forget that those without homes either choose to not have one or have chosen a lifestyle that involves no mortgage or rent payments. I'm with you on this 100%.
-The Guy on the Couch
I have never thought theirs lives looked as bad as we were made to think.Though I never understood the cold wintes, living homefree. I would personally go south like the birds. Would be nice to be able to pick up and leave with just the clothes on your back. Well said Liz.
Nice article. For the most part, the homeless are free spirits who merely ask (not demand) for handouts. Nobody is obliged to give them anything.
As for the violence and turbulence plaguing society, that is caused by the people who have and want homes, and/or the people who have and want societal status. And those who reside at the apex of this order demand the most in handouts from everyone else.