Day 8: Walking in the shoes of the homeless and unemployed

Unbelievable. I met with my caseworker today and promptly told her of my experience with the security guard. Instead of addressing the inappropriateness of his comments, she simply shrugged her shoulders and pursed her lips. “Was he kidding? I don’t know what people’s motivations are for saying things.”

Then, she started probing. “He must have triggered something in you. Are you sad? I mean did his comments make you think… uh… like… yeah, maybe I do think… you know… uh… that I’m bette—”

She wouldn’t finish saying it. Perhaps the uncompromising look on my face stopped her from completing her sentence. Did she agree with this guard? Did she condone his behavior? Are you kidding me? She certainly was not expressing any concern for how it made me feel. I felt as if she kept trying to make “something wrong” with me. There’s no other explanation for me being here in this shelter if there isn’t something wrong with me. That keeps them above the residents in some way – at least in their minds. But the truth is they are the same as the residents. They are neither any different nor any better.

Opportunity to Celebrate

Obviously, we should all celebrate the roof over our heads and the nourishment we receive no matter how it is viewed by economic or social standards. Yet, how can you "celebrate" blessings if you are homeless, hungry, unemployed, and cannot provide for your family? How, as a citizen or community leader, have you honored the value in all individuals regardless of their economic status or living situation? I celebrate by giving praise to God for providing for my needs and then share that praise with others as I do with this blog.

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