A couple of weeks ago I was on my way to a special Icelandic Dinner. I was to be wined and dinned to 4 courses of Icelandic dishes sourced directly from Iceland. The chef had even been flown out from Iceland for the Taste of Reykjavik experience that I was about to go to. This makes what I noticed on the way to the restaurant even more ironic and disturbing. On Monday I wrote a post called “Status Dropping…Do you do it too?” At the heart of that post was really a discussion on class.
I find myself thinking about class a lot more often. I also am spending a lot of time thinking about social instability, emergency funds, and “The Future.” I will tell you know what happened that night.
As I walked through downtown Denver I noticed a protest. There are usually protesters in this area and I normally ignore whatever is going on and go about my business. This time though the protest caught my attention. The was a large group of people protesting in front of The Palm restaurant that is connected to the Westin Hotel. The protestors seemed like a motley crew of people and somewhat…disheveled. Then, I realized that they were homeless and were protesting having the police called to remove the homeless from in front of the restaurant. They were shouting that they had a right to be anywhere that they wanted to and that they weren’t invisible. It was heart breaking.
I understood both sides to the argument.
In the past five years Denver has seen (in my opinion) a surge in its homeless population. Added to that is a city that is trying to really serve this community and offer a number of different services to the homeless population. The problem is that the population has grown and people who aren’t homeless are frustrated by the following…it’s not p.c. but I’m being honest.
- The loitering-Where are you supposed to go when you’re homeless? People opt to stay around people during the daytime probably to feel a part of things and for safety. But, businesses want to discourage this. The question is where should you go?
- Perception of Criminal Activity-People feel like criminal activity might go up if homeless people are in the vicinity.
- Panhandling-Business and people don’t want to be asked for money when they just want to go about their business. But, how are people supposed to earn money if they can’t be hired because they don’t have an address?
- Confrontations-There are a number of people who have been hanging out downtown for years. They are clearly mentally ill and from time to time will yell at people, scream at themselves, etc I am wondering where is the help for the mentally ill? Doesn’t anyone care!?
Businesses are in the business of producing a product or service, employing people, and making money. If they feel that their clientele is uncomfortable coming to their business then they know that money is potentially being lost. I understand their frustration. They are trying to earn a living.
Every week I read articles about counties that have outlawed public camping, loitering, and towns that will pay for people to leave their town. The homeless are under siege and I wonder what would you do if you lost everything? Do you have resources? Do you know of services to access? As you lose everything slowly then quickly who in your family will help you? How long will they help you?
There is a war against those who are weakest in society and I have a theory about why. We are afraid that we will become them. So, we pretend like we don’t see the homeless on the street, we pretend that we don’t hear them. We deny basic contact unless it’s Thanksgiving because usually that’s safe, there is no risk of anger. There are people around and nothing bad can happen when you’re volunteering.
Recently though I find that I have to work hard on being compassionate. I always smile and nod when people speak to me on the street. I don’t give any money except on very, very rare occasions but I try to treat people with kindness. But I won’t lie. It’s hard to do because sometimes you want to pretend that everything is o.k. But it’s not.
The number of homeless is growing and if there is a moment in time to focus on financial health and wellness the time is now. I wrote a post about three weeks ago about Emergency funds. I have to admit I am very, very, very convinced that not having an emergency fund is a disaster waiting to happen. Look at the people who are furloughed from the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT! And the Government has money. These employees are terrified because losing one paycheck makes a big difference when you’re living paycheck to paycheck.
The homeless are just like you and I and have a right to live with dignity. However, the very nature of their situation takes away their dignity. I wonder, then, what is the right thing to do?
I continued on to my dinner where I would feast like a king. But, for a brief moment there was a bad taste in my mouth. I am blessed, but was very aware that I have to work hard to keep the wolf at bay.
Where would you go if you were homeless ?Do you get exasperated to see people loitering around? What feelings do you have when you are approached by a homeless person? Have you ever thought about what would happen if you became homeless?
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It often breaks my heart to the see the homeless gathered in similar circumstances. We certainly have our fair share here in St. Louis as well.. That said, I do understand the restaurant’s point of view and in their place– I would likely lobby the city to have them removed as well. It isn’t fair to your business to have your clientele harassed on the way in/out of your place of business.
I have noticed an increase in the homeless population EVERY PLACE that I’ve visited. It is a national problem (and disgrace!). I’ve also noticed homelessness getting worse in Europe when I visit. I think that there is now an acceleration in the haves and have nots. I am trying not to have a note of hysteria in my voice. As a business owner you are employing people usually at lower wages who are using that money to pay their rent, etc. I don’t think the homeless people were doing anything other than loitering and hanging out (maybe smoking a bowl) BUT I don’t feel comfortable as a client eating a high end meal and having to pass through a large group of homeless people. It just…feels…wrong! Like Marie Antoinette and the “Let them eat cake” comment. But, if you’re the homeless person you feel demeaned. So, what do you do?
To answer your specific questions – I have been homeless, I know what I would do in this situation and have thought about it at length should it happen again. I know the help available in my area and how to hide the fact I am homeless. My best friend was homeless from 15 – 17. It is scary how much homelessness is increasing everywhere. I live in an area with the second highest rate of homelessness in my country yet the highest rate of disposable income!
No, I don’t get exasperated seeing people loiter. My hearty breaks for them. I can see why the restaurant owner would want them moved on because it does affect business, but at the same time many areas are not actively doing anything to help the homeless.
As for being approached, I volunteer with the homeless. I cut their hair, I spend hours on Thursday at a drop in centre which is mainly for men just chatting and playing games like chess. They open up to me, which was apparent in my first week there cutting hair, so I was asked to spend time talking and getting to know people. We’ve been able to help quite a few who had not said a word in years.
I see them around the streets and always have a chat. I got approached by quite a few on my recent trip to the USA and I’m more than happy to talk, give change or buy them a coffee or whatever. They are just people. Some have mental health issues, addictions etc, so just trust your gut. I have only had 1 situation that was less than pleasant in the drop in centre, but it wasn’t too bad.
Sorry, epically long answer. I am super passionate about homelessness.
Kylie, I LOVE long comments!! I have been thinking about writing a post about homelessness for awhile. I’ve known people who have been homeless for short periods of time and I’ve seen long-term homeless in Denver and Boulder. I always think about what their story was? What happened in their life, did they have anyone who could help them? Why doesn’t anyone care?! I have a ton of debt but I have a great job and resources to change my situation. As a pf blogger I am virtually “surrounded” by people who are trying to change their life situations. I am not sure what motivates them but I know that one of the things that motivates me is honestly fear. I am sick of my actions giving people power over my life situation. In the U.S. where people who have health insurance begrudge other people similar care, where the social “safety net” doesn’t really exist I feel like I have to be a lot more proactive about my personal situation. In my town where there is great wealth people are being left behind as others are moving forward. I feel like there is a huge shift happening in Western countries. And people aren’t noticing. I am working on my plan so that I have everything covered I don’t think anything will happen…but, that’s what everyone says until it happens to them.
It is easy to pick on who we perceive to be “weak”. I have never been in that position so I cannot even begin to comment, but I did date a guy who was homeless at one point in his life.
He said he only reason he got off the streets was because he caved and went to his mother for help. If you don’t have that kind of family support… where do you go?
Americans are interesting in that we have an interesting relationship with the idea of power or lack of power. We are always jockeying to be number one or the best because in a country of 300 million it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. Those of us who are thought of as weak are treated like the runt of the litter. I am fortunate that I have some options such as help from family and the possibility of cashing in my retirement if it gets really bad. I don’t want to use those options though. Instead, I am working as hard as I can to clean up my mess so that I don’t have to be stuck between a rock and a hard place.
First off, mmm fancy Icelandic dinner. You must go there for real one day. Now back to the heart of the post….homelessness is a huge issue everywhere. No one wants to deal with them and the lack of compassion is astounding. Most people want to blame them, think it’s their fault and that everyone is on drugs, alcohol, etc. Not all of them are, but if they were, would you blame them? A society that has thrown you out, told you you weren’t worthy….or who knows what f’ed up things have happened in their life that that is their only option? How can you sleep at night if you are outside? How could you feel safe? I think about this a lot and have a lot of compassion. I try to help when I can and used to volunteer more. The issue is bigger than that. There aren’t enough jobs, enough homes for everyone. We don’t have a holistic system that can care for people on the margins. If we saw having a job and a house as a human right, and not just a privilege, imagine what a different world we’d live in.
It’s almost like we’re wolves and the homeless are lambs. At the end of the day, the way society treats its weakest members says a lot about it. In the U.S. we don’t want to provide health insurance, we don’t provide excellent educational opportunities for people, we have no mental health support. I have a number of friends who immigrated to the U.S. or lived here for a long time and ran home because of these issues. I think we have a 5-10 year window to really make headway on this. With politicians acting like fools and focusing on their personal agendas instead of their constituents we are all losing. I just shake my head and think “We can do better than this!” I have to ask myself why aren’t we?
As far as what would I do if I ever became homeless; I try to remember what Jean Chatzky said at fincon about how she never fears that because she’d be the best damn waitress, so I’m trying to take that fear out of my head. Im sure I could live with my dad if I had to, but that would be a major last resort. As far as the homeless problem, it’s so complicated and sad, isn’t it. I do see both sides like you but have no idea what a solution is. I just try to smile and be compassionate too when I pass them on the street but like you I rarely give money. And I usually feel horribly guilty. It’s a very good question…
That was a very powerful moment when Jean said that because she meant it. I have been in the position where I was SUPER broke, working at Starbucks and just struggling. It def. crossed my mind at that time…what if. Because at that time the sh$t had hit the fan.