Homeless

A topic I've been obsessed with since I was a freeloading child myself. 

Over this past week, I've overheard several homeless people shouting, and even before this, I noticed a theme. So maybe this is just confirmation bias, but the conversations have always been something like “... and I told her that no one takes advantage of Mr. Bo-Jiggles.” Predominantly a story that echoes ‘I showed them.’ Not unlike most people, we all have our favorite stories, a story of how we did it, against all odds. We, the underdog, won. We all want that bitch Karen from H.R. to suck it. And in hearing these stories we are able to feel it again and again.  If I am alone, I find myself creating these types of scenarios. I myself am probably three steps away from living on the streets, and when I was two steps away I would do it more. It's important to realize we aren't immune to being on the street. We all have steps, some of us just have more steps.  

When I was younger, I would try to think of ways to utilize the homeless. Often involving having them work in my factory. Buy a big plot of land and have them farm. Basically, as a ten year old I was reimagining slave labor. These characters were somewhat one dimensional. And maybe, to a certain extent, they still are to me. I haven't gotten close enough to have an authentic conversation with them. 

We all need to be heard. That doesn't go away when you've hit rock bottom. It gets worse. And I don't blame people for not talking to the homeless. Like you can't really start the conversation with “Sooo what do you do….?” 

If you aren’t willing to talk to them, then don’t judge them when they’re the only one talking.