I wanted to
talk a little about the video that Jen posted a few weeks ago on rethinking
homelessness. I too recently came across
the video, which is by the Florida grassroots initiative Rethink Homelessness,
and I am torn about the project so I thought that I would re-share it with all
of you. The video shows people who are experiencing homelessness holding up
cardboard signs explaining past careers, skills they possess, what brought them
to homelessness, etc. The initiative hopes that the video campaign will help
the general public understand that people experiencing homelessness are just
people like everyone else, with similar experiences and goals and that
homelessness can happen to anyone.
I think that this is a great concept. I think
that in order to alleviate homelessness we have to get the general public to
care about the homeless and I think that the best way to do that is too help
the public better connect with the homeless population. And we know that personal
stories and narratives foster connections between people and create a space for
open dialogue.
This is why
I am torn about the video portion of the initiative. I think that the signs
will get some people to examine their misconceptions surrounding homelessness. However,
I worry that the signs do not tell enough of the participants’ stories. A few
people may watch the video and want to know more so they will research the
initiative and what they can do to get involved. I worry that others will watch
the video and promptly ignore it because they will not feel a connection with
the population. I worry that people will not care about the homeless
participants from the video because they do not really know anything more about
them than they did at the beginning of the video.
What do you
think?
Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THxtcWNw3QA
Here is the link for the initiative Rethink Homelessness: http://rethinkhomelessness.org/
Jenn, I think you raise an excellent question. What initially struck me about the video was the way it challenges people's thinking on who the homeless are in our communities, using a powerful, memorable visual hook. You're absolutely right, though--without deeper conversations, and without folks caring enough to learn more of the story, we're not likely to move far beyond where we are now.
ReplyDeleteThere was another story circulating around social media recently, an essay by a mom who had been a successful journalist until she and her husband both lost their jobs and found themselves on hard times; she wrote about her experience of going to the WIC office to pick up her food vouchers, driving a Mercedes. It was a pretty moving article about how the experience humbled her and opened her eyes to the idea that it's not fair to judge people without knowing their whole story. And yet, when I read some of the comments on the story (never a good idea!) I was dismayed to see how many people hadn't even bothered to read the story (where she explains that the car was several years old and long since paid off), instead making disparaging remarks about how she should have known enough to sell the car if she didn't want to be judged, or how she should "get a job." Still, I hold out hope that the more of these stories we tell, the better the chance of getting people's attention and starting important new conversations.
I think that this video is great. It shows that anyone can become homeless it is just a couple of mistakes or circumstances away. Luckily their are a lot of support groups out there to prevent this from happening. I do not feel bad when I see a young able body person standing on the side of the road begging for money, but I don't know his or her story, but at the same time I know that donating to the salvage army or red cross that, that 5 dollars that I may have donated will go much further than if I just give it to one individual. I wont say the system is perfect but Portland has great resources for the homeless that are around and they provide over hundreds and hundreds of meals each and everyday.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many misconception about homelessness, as well as those who are using SNAP or other government programs to stay afloat or get back on their feet. It is so frustrating to see politicians making ridiculous changes and requirements for those in need. They are defiantly focusing on the wrong end of the pendulum. Spending money to put photo's on SNAP cards (more money spent to redistribute) limiting assistance to those who are "able bodied" and not to mention all the public negative comments on who those using aids are and what people use funds for.
ReplyDeleteWorking with the homeless I see people be judged everyday, I hear the stories of why they are homeless, I see the struggles they have to find housing, to be given a chance at a job. I love this video but it is true that the public needs to hear bigger stories, and still it is not until they have personally met or gone through their own struggles that they will be vested in the need for change and for more awareness. People need to realize that if they are living paycheck to paycheck or if they were to lose their job that they too could face homelessness. It is not until they are faced with that fear that they will understand and for some to care.
Patrick Preble Street Soup Kitchen alone feeds two-hundred/three-hundred plus individuals each meal, (3 meals a day, 365 days a year and there are other services feeding many others) and there are those who need bagged meals due to being not allowed in the soup kitchen or have dietary needs that we can not meet- people are still going hungry every night. Our pantry serves two-hundred plus individuals and families each Thursday. Families that are housed and make just over the required limits for assistance still have to go without many days of the month. These stories of need do make a differece but there is a bigger need for understanding and compassion. People judge you on what you have or dont have, the car you drive, or other things you have if you are using services. Like Jennifer shared about the women with the Mercedes that kept her car but uses food supplement programs- everyone had something happen that led them to needing help, does that mean you must give up everything because you are needing assistance? Because you are suffering from poverty, homeless, or hardship should you give up everything you own because that is what the public thinks you should do? There is still a lot that needs to happen, there is still a lot that needs to be changed in the minds of others to have understanding and compassion. Maybe everyone should just be social workers!!
Sadly, Cheri you are right, society does expect you to give up everything you own to "cry poor". It is ridiculous. Jen D thank you for bringing up the Mercedes story. Anyone can be faced with these needs and as David Wagner once put it, these services are security paid out of our taxes and if we at some point need to access them; well that is what they are there for!
ReplyDeleteJen B - I totally get your question. We need to become personalized with these people. I think if more people could relate which on many levels I think people do but don't admit they relate out of shame. I think if society looked more at where we would be without our community supports we are all a few steps away from homelessness.
Patrick - I understand your right to not feel bad for a young person standing in a median. However, if I was a bus ticket away from getting back home to my family I would stand in a median and beg for change. If my kids were not going to eat tonight I would do just about anything to protect them, even if it means begging for change. So when I see someone like that, my reaction is not to question. Instead, I pray to God that I am never in that situation.