A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you my epiphany. In case you forgot, I will restate my epiphany. My epiphany is that we must find a way to eradicate homelessness.
Homelessness is social commentary that says more about those who live in homes who do little to nothing to eradicate homelessness than it does about those who are homeless.
First Step – Look in The Mirror
Over the last several weeks, I have started my own personal initiative to fight homelessness. Sadly, my endeavors aren’t even a bandage on the gaping wound which is homelessness but I am making an effort.
On Christmas evening, I hopped in the car, drove downtown to look for a 24 hour restaurant. I then purchased gift cards that I could pass out to any homeless person that I encountered. Regrettably, I encountered a number of homeless people. Some that I was able to talk to and provide them with a gift card. Others who were already bundled up and asleep.
The experience was surreal. On Christmas evening, while most people were basking in the glow and merriment of the day, there were people searching for food to eat. On Christmas night, while many were still visiting and celebrating with friends and families, there were those sleeping alone in alleys, bus shelters and on street corners. The things I saw are not supposed to happen in the richest country in the world.
I’m not naïve, I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. Quite the contrary! I grew up in a city once considered the murder capital of America. I have experienced personal hardships and witnessed unspeakable tragedy first hand. Nonetheless, there were things that shook me to my core and quite simply broke my heart on Christmas day.
One of those things was when I witnessed a person bundled up with a makeshift shelter – a shelter my description could not do justice. Outside the crude living quarters was a series of signs written in green ink on 8 ½ x 11 inch paper. The signs read “Please don’t harm me. Please don’t bother my stuff. This is my home”.
Living on the street alone, in inclement weather, all their personal possession stuffed in plastic grocery bags with none of the modern necessities we take for granted available is what people in this country consider their “home”.
Human beings deserve better. I must do more.
Happy New Year
On New Year’s Eve, I returned to the scene of the crime – as in allowing people to live this way is a crime against humanity. This time, I prepared care packages that could be distributed to those in need.
Again, I have to admit that what I was able to provide felt supremely insignificant. Yet, I can only keep trying when I convince myself – even temporarily – that a little is better than nothing at all. A little will have to do until I have the wherewithal to eradicate homelessness. Trust me that day will come.
That night I walked the same route that I walked on Christmas. Scouring nearly the entire northeast side of downtown, there I came upon numerous folks devoid of more than just the celebratory New Year’s Eve spirit. There were folks with no place to live, no new clothes to wear, and no food or drink to toast to a new year.
As I spoke with those in need and handed out care packages, onlookers from police officers to those dressed in their finest after 5 attire stared curiously. The observers seemed perplexed that I was not dressed for the party and was instead handing out care packages to those who had no fancy clothes and were not invited to any of the parties. I returned the onlookers stares with an inquisitive look of my own – how much better would the New Year’s celebration be if everyone had a place to call home?
Epiphany
So my epiphany continues. On the day that Christians around the world observe Epiphany – another day focused on the birth of Jesus – I find the celebration ironic. There is such reverence for the birth of Jesus and his humble beginnings but there is not nearly enough concern for those who find themselves living in the same socioeconomic climate that saw Jesus unceremoniously enter the world.
Jesus was himself born on the outside – in a stable as a matter of fact – as his parents could find no room at the inn. At this moment, there are people starving, freezing and suffering insurmountable degradation who like Jesus can find no place where they are welcome. This was blasphemy in Bethlehem 2014 years ago and it is no less obscene today.
And so I just had another epiphany – two in fact. First, together we can eradicate homelessness. Second, if we don’t eradicate homelessness, we should have no expectation that room will be provided for us or –in the case of Mary and Joseph – our children at any inn should we ever encounter hardship.
Will you join our efforts to eradicate homelessness? Do your children understand that the truest measure of humanity is our willingness to aid those who can do nothing for us in return?