I was walking the streets of a beautiful area in some Northern California city. A beautiful place with cheerful people, lots of trees, blue skies and houses surrounded by varieties of flowering plants. After a day of walking and exploring I was heading towards my temporary abode when highlighted by the dim street lights I could see a couple of people lying in the sidewalk. There was something so out of place in contrast with the beauty of the city, particularly this being a small city. I would expect homeless people sitting/sleeping on the street in New York, in Los Angeles, in Chicago... big cities, but here? Hmmmm, puzzling.
Still puzzled by the question, I asked the owner of my current dwelling about it. He told me that a lot of locals have an active relationship with the homeless, they ask each other about their lives, they give them money, they interact. He was not too happy about it, mainly because he thought that was encouraging them to maintain their homeless status. He kept talking, describing the situation when a question came to mind? Why is it that people in a country where there are so many programs and support, a country that despite the recession, can afford (I'd think) to assist them? I mean, it is not like people in countries like Mexico, Brazil or Peru where the government cannot afford to solve the 'being poor' issue... or is it? Are homeless choosing to be homeless? And if so, what pushes them to be homeless?
Sure, the obvious thing to look at is poverty. It is interesting to note though that the problematic of a country like India would be very different to a place like the US. Still putting things into their context, perhaps homelessness is just a sign of a deeper social problem - whatever that might be. This said, my perception (could be wrong) is that a lot of people in places like the US would be people that either had a career or a job once in their life in comparison to someone that is homeless in some country in Latin America, where the levels of education are so different.
Talking later to a friend he stated that most of these homeless people aren't there because they have chosen to be there but because they have some sort of mental illness or have a heavy addiction to substance abuse that makes it blurry for them to distinguish between living in the streets and living elsewhere. That would explain why one of the people I saw was using a key to scratch his leg so deeply and anxiously that blood was coming out.
A few days later, I was invited to a movie night. The movie is called 'The Soloist' and it's about the relationship that emerges between a journalist and a homeless talented musician that drops out of Juilliard because of a mental disability. This added to the hypothesis that some homeless people do choose (some way or another) to live on the streets and refuse help that would mean changing their lifestyle.
However, that is probably not the case with every one. Some people do fall into the circle of poverty and can't get out of it.
Would love to hear other people's thoughts on the topic...
---
Some statistics on homeless people:
- In 2005, an estimated 100 million people worldwide were homeless.[1]
- Between 150,000 and 200,000 individuals with schizophrenia or manic-depressive illness are homeless among the 744,000 homeless population (total homeless population statistic based on data from a 2005 national survey). These 150,000–200,000 individuals are equivalent to the population of such cities as Dayton, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Providence, Rhode Island; Richmond, Virginia; or Salt Lake City, Utah. [2]
More statistics and information:
National Coalition for the Homeless
Homeless Statistics
[1] From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness#Contributing_causes_of_homelessness
[2] From: http://www.psychlaws.org/generalResources/fact11.htm
Posts
Interesting stuff indeed, I remember seeing a documentry about a homeless guy who was so by choice. He was just taking a break from the stresses of life (according to him). There was troubled times behind him though, a broken family that he couldn't deal with. Obviously there were some mental issues that made him react to his problems like he did.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting and good to see that a local community was helping the homeless folk you saw. It will help keep them in touch with reality and may even help them back into that community.
Thanks Badger. It looks like it would be pretty difficult for someone to reintegrate into society without support. After all we are social 'beasts' even when we are antisocial... are we?
ReplyDeleteTHE NEW FACES OF THE HOMELESS-
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is a beautiful, young, talented musician. She happens to be a classicaly trained cellist who began her studies at the age of five. She self published a poetry book when she was seventeen. Jack Kerouac is her hero.
We lived a rustic life, a close knit family of classical and celtic musicians, we were not perfect, there were some difficulties with the challenges of divorce...but we maintained closeness and open dialogue.
My daughter attended college in Vermont. She and my son suffered greatly because of lack of options in student loans and grants. My son was able to survive into grad school, often times hungry and stressed about the rent, but he did not completely let go of his dream, although he did modify it. He was able to carry on because the economy didn't completely collapse until halfway through his undergrad studies.
But my daughter was just beginning college. She tried to get a job, got spoon fed (measely) work study, and because of her pride and the fact that hundreds of other college kids in that well known college town were homeless, when she was evicted from her apartment, she joined them. She Quit.
She supports herself by playing her cello on the streets.
This past winter she went to New Orleans to busk. She joins (possibly) hundreds of other kids who live in abandoned buildings and depending on the weather, make enough money to eat. The last photo I saw on facebook she and another girl were sitting with an empty styrofoam box drinking water. She has no idea that this photo was posted, she has not logged on for three weeks now.
I cannot watch the move,"The Soloist". It makes me sick. I know that my daughter has not seen it; homeless people do not go to the movies. My daughter could have gone to Julliard, (she had one of the finest teachers in the NE and was playing Paganini at the age of seven)... but the financial stress in her everyday life was too much.
While her friends are playing folk or blues on the sidewalk, my daughter might wail on a Bach Cello Suite or Hayden concerto, and then she will play a fiddle tune, rock or whatever. She plays the guitar and sings.
She comes from a good home. She is loved and always has been. She has a strong support network. She knows this. Until her trip to New Orleans, I was in touch with her on a more 'regular' basis and able to see her in person. She had a cell phone until about a month ago. (A few friends have told me that she is doing 'well'.) She chose this lifestyle because of the sheer number of others in this situation; it is also a new way of life for raw, talented musicians and because of economically and socially induced depression.(LACK OF OPTIONS /A DETERIORATING SOCIETY INVOLVED IN A WAR WITH NO INTEGRITY. The question, "What will the children think?" has new meaning.
She is not alone! It is ALARMING at how many college kids are homeless and then drop out.
What are their choices? Not enough student loans or grants to pay for food/ housing. (Unless you come from a wealthy family) No jobs. Does that leave the military? Hmm.
I support the men and women in uniform...(I have a son in the Navy)... BUT I am an advocate for peace and ending the Military Industrial Complex. (another blog).
But as far as homelessness? There is a whole new breed out there. They are educated, gifted, young people, who come from good homes, whose parents are sick about it (if they know). These kids just don't want to be a part of the crumbling society that we have dumped on their laps. They are at risk.
My daughter knows that I would drop everything and go get her in an instant when / if she asks. It is her choice. I have tried.
Look around, look closely under the wool hats and hoodies, look beneath the filth, you will see young(er) faces.
If you hear my daughter playing her cello on a street corner somewhere in your travels. Could you spare her a dime?
I have seen some young college students in the streets and I can't quite understand it.
ReplyDeleteAnd... I'm always up for good music.
Thank you for sharing Mary Jane.
This story to me is tragic. So far i can say, there but for the grace of God go my children.
ReplyDeleteGod bless