This week my group and I presented on the book Voices in America. The whole book was a compilation of interviews gathered from the homeless community of Portland, Oregon. Sisters of the Road, a nonprofit organization, thought it would be beneficial to share their stories and remind the public that the homeless are humans, just like us. They need help, just like us.
One story I remember well was of a woman discussing how she gets ticketed for doing things required by the human body. She gets ticketed for sleeping- she sleeps in the wrong place, but is not directed to a place where she can sleep. She gets ticketed for urinating in public- despite trying to do it secretly in an alleyway, where there are no other options, she must be very alert while going to the bathroom to not get caught by authorities. One man was cited for possession of shopping carts, and he owned them legally. He had receipts to prove he had not stolen them, but was cited anyway.
Hearing stories like these help you realize how looked down on the homeless are. People automatically assume they are up to no good or are breaking laws when in reality, they are just trying to survive. One man talked about how all he wants is to be clean, because it makes him feel better about himself and allows him the blend in with society more. We all get dirty, but not all of us are privileged with a shower.
Homelessness can happen to anyone- devastation knows no class and can effect us all.
I hope to get a chance to read this book and the stories of this homeless community. I find it disgusting that the authorities constantly harass the homeless for taking care of their basic needs. I agree with your statement that they need help, just like us. Instead of dehumanizing the homeless, the authorities need to adjust their way of treating the homeless. Like you said, “homelessness can happen to anyone,” which is something that the authorities, as well as most people, forget.