I am not generally quick to anger. I try to be laid back, polite, and reasonable. There are aspects of our society that upset me, sure, but I'm usually shielded from that reality while I hide in my little bubble of privilege. Not quite so much these days. I've been on the phone, calling every organization I can think of that might be able to help a homeless family find temporary shelter, and I always get one of two answers: 'are they on the wait list?' or 'sorry, we can't help'. My rage is boiling over.
I'm aware of the scale of the homeless problem. I understand why the bureaucracy is in place. But do you know what the reality is? We as a society are telling this family and other homeless folk that we don't give a sh*t about them. Excuses don't change that.
The community here at DK has helped the family stay afloat for a little while, and they appreciate that. I went into this thinking that the assistance we provided would give them the time they need to let the system to work. Let me tell you, if you didn't already know, our safety net has some family sized holes in it.
And I know for a fact that we as a nation can afford to help them and everyone else without a home. We have the tools, but for whatever reason we don't have the will. I know I'm preaching to the choir. It just sickens me to see people driving around my town in $100,000 status symbols when there are so many people out in the streets. I guess it makes sense that people in affluent areas wouldn't want to help them. I mean, who wants all those dirty homeless people living in their backyards, driving down property values? And god forbid one might bother you on your way to get a latte. Best to run them out of town. I know, that might not be a fair assessment, but it's how it feels.
I also called a church that runs a severe weather shelter. Of course they said they couldn't help. Not that I expect or even want churches to solve the homeless problem, but it's an amazing thing to me. I seem to remember Jesus saying something about helping the poor, and I don't recall a list of rules on when or where you are allowed to do so. Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought the idea was that you open up your home and feed and clothe strangers in need if you have the means. Do they really not have the means? Or are they so worried about protecting themselves that they can't bend the rules from time to time? Is it that Christians don't actually follow Jesus' teachings, or do they only follow the parts they think are reasonable? Hah. Reasonable. Jesus was a radical. I'm not a Christian, but I would say that if you aren't a radical, then you don't follow Christ. Sometimes doing good requires a little bravery.
Oh, and about this job that Terrance (the father) found: he was so desperate that he jumped on the first thing that came up, which was of course a commission-only gig. I did some research on the company and let's just say they have some questionable business practices. And his 'training' is unpaid. So while I hope it works out for him, I get the feeling that this company preys on the desperate, just like so many scam artists out there. If I believed in hell, then I would imagine there is a special place there for those who take advantage of the poor.
That's about all I've got, and now the anger has subsided. It has been replaced by despair. But then, what is my despair to theirs? At least I know where I'm going to sleep tonight.