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05/30/2002 Entry: "In talking about my friends"
Sauvie Island, OregonHomelessness is many things - dehumanizing, tragic, unbearable, but today I was reminded of something else.
We attended a talk tonight on "Dispelling the Myths of Homelessness" where a number of people experiencing homelessness talked about their lives. I knew the people personally, and their stories made me further appreciate their strength, and the challenges to very basic life necessities that they face each day. When the talk ended, we talked to a friend of mine who is homeless, and who was one of my first supporters when I began taking photos documenting homeless issues in Portland.
Afterwards, we said goodbye, and drove over to Alberta Street where all the galleries are open on this last Thursday of the month. Driving back over the Broadway Bridge, the fireworks for the Rose Festival opening began going off, and their spiraling, dying light lit up against a clear sky, and reflected off of downtown building windows.
Expectedly, parking near the festival was unavailable, so we began driving home. Not far from our apartment, we passed my friend again. His head was down, and he was carrying his pack, walking briskly up the street. And as we drove home to our apartment, with a bed, our own bathroom and a door to lock behind us, I thought about my friend, walking to the place he slept every night, outside, just a couple of steps off of the sidewalk. Tonight I remembered simply how sad homelessness is.
Replies: [C.4]
i'm not sure i could pass up one of my friends, knowing they were sleeping on the street.
Posted by Lusy P Hur @ 05/31/2002 10:23 PM PST
i'm not sure i could pass up one of my friends, knowing they were sleeping on the street.
Posted by Lusy P Hur @ 05/31/2002 10:23 PM PST
Right, I see what you're saying. The person (and people) I am referring to did not choose (nor plan) homelessness, and are working hard to get into some kind of housing. Many of them had jobs, houses, cars, and all those sorts of things, and lost them in their 30s and 40s due to drug problems, mental illness, or family betrayal.
On your last point, I don't think people who are routinely being beaten by police who let their dogs attack them necessarily have a great opportunity.
Posted by steve @ 05/31/2002 07:39 PM PST
homelessness is only what you say if it's unplanned and not chosen. i'm what you would call a wanderer; i have no job (although i work when i have to), no house, and i wonder where i'm gonna sleep. i chose this life... many of these people haven't a choice... but when you become unmotivated it becomes worse... as george carlin says, "these people are houseless"... not so much homeless.... they don't have a house and they want a house," and as my mother says, "in order to see things differently, you must do things differently." i would say these people have a great opportunity... and as for most people on this earth, it becomes a missed opportunity.
Posted by nak @ 05/31/2002 06:20 AM PST
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