Will work for change
I’m writing in response to your cover story, “Asking For Change” [July 20]. I was disturbed by the comments of business owners and citizens. One business owner said, “We’re watching guys and women…who are quite capable of working…but they choose panhandling instead.” He believes the culprit in the increase of homeless on the mall is The Haven, a TJACH shelter.
The assumptions underlying these comments are particularly troubling because I know they’re not uncommon, as evidenced by some of the ignorant responses to this article, which citizens made on your website. People often assume they can look at someone and determine whether they’re “capable of working.” While I’m certain that some of the Mall business owners have a trained medical eye, there are some conditions that might escape them. Perhaps someone has a physical handicap that isn’t readily noticeable, or a mental handicap, which definitely isn’t easy to discern at a glance. There are many scenarios which might prevent someone from working. One might also consider that homelessness itself is a handicap when seeking employment. Have you ever tried to get a job when you have no address or can’t bathe? Meanwhile, we’re seeing the dwindling of public and private resources, which formerly provided needy folks with assistance. It doesn’t surprise me that the homeless population and panhandling seem to be increasing, but The Haven is not to blame for this. It’s an unfortunate scenario being played out in communities across this country.
There’s also the assumption that, if someone is capable, there’s actually a job to be found. We’re all aware of the horrible financial situation in this country—unemployment abounds and thousands of Americans are living one paycheck away from financial ruin. If that paycheck doesn’t come for whatever reason, they could easily find themselves panhandling to survive. Perhaps their job gets downsized, or their employer goes bankrupt, or the area where they, and generations of their family, have earned a living is paralyzed by an oil spill or natural disaster (it could happen, right?). Victims of these circumstances are people like you and me, who’re suddenly forced into a role that requires them to do whatever is necessary for survival. They haven’t chosen this, it has “chosen” them. If someone believes these folks are “capable of working,” offer them a job. Don’t belittle them for circumstances you know nothing about.
I confess that homeless people make me uncomfortable too and I think this is a very human response. But I’ve tried to determine what IN ME creates this discomfort. The truth is I’m someone who could be just one paycheck away from ruin, so I think my response is partially due to a sense of “there, but for the grace of God, go I.” However, there’s a larger issue that isn’t adequately explained by my personal demons. I live in a society that pushes the uncomfortable away, so we’re no longer confronted by it. Unlike millions of people in the world, we don’t slaughter our own food, care for our own sick, prepare and bury our own dead, or even deal with our own garbage. We’ve removed ourselves from the awkward and painful; disconnected ourselves from the stark realities of life. We’re so far removed that we’re disturbed, even resentful, when we have it thrust in our faces. If we’re honest with ourselves, maybe it’s this factor which underlies the negativity felt toward the homeless.
So what do we do about the homeless? Do we emulate Orlando, where Food Not Bombs is spending precious resources fighting the city for the legal right to feed them? Or do we respond like Boulder and start issuing tickets to the homeless for “illegal camping,” like they went to Jellystone and just forgot to get a permit? Aren’t we better than that? We could continue to indulge our discomfort and push the homeless farther from our sight and consciousness because they disturb us, or we can choose to do something constructive, like supporting TJACH’s efforts.
The Haven provides food, resources, and hope to the less fortunate in our community. They deserve our gratitude for doing what many of us won’t or can’t do—creating real change in the world, offering resources instead of judgment. It’s easy to judge or turn a blind eye, far more difficult to confront our own ignorance and prejudice, and create positive change. If you’re not interested in the latter, please don’t criticize those who are working hard to achieve it.
T. Hodges
Charlottesville
Wheel world
As I was traveling home on a recent Thursday evening down West Main Street [“Biker beware,” July 6]. I was struck by a taxi while riding my bicycle. I was riding east bound and traveling about the same speed as the traffic. I was in the bike lane and had just passed the ABC store approaching Zinc. I always keep my eyes right as I am aware of car doors opening and cars approaching from the rear. As I entered the intersection of West Main and Fifth Street a car driving west bound turned left onto Fifth Street. In a split second he crossed the lane and hit me. I yelled loudly at the moment of impact. I came to a stop still on my bike. My heart rate was around 200 bpm but I was fine and the bike was O.K. too.
My bike had silver paint and a scratch from the taxi on the rear skewer. My rear brakes needed to be adjusted otherwise no real damage.There were several witnesses to the accident. Several people spoke to me to see if I was alright which I was. I looked for the taxi driver but the witnesses said he had fled the scene. Then some fellow came from across the street and proceeded to tell me it was my fault. He said that I was at fault for not being careful enough and going too fast. He said I should have been paying better attention and should have seen him coming. Now, I was very upset at the guy and said some things that maybe I should not have said but I maintained that I had the right of way and was in a bike lane obeying the speed limit. If I don’t have the right of way in that situation then when do I have the right of way. Is he correct? I feel that this guy was not paying attention and crossed the lane and hit me.
I left the area without calling the police and headed home. I was upset but not hurt. I think I was so angry at the fellow who said I was at fault I just decided to drop the whole thing. I’m writing this letter today to say that I was very lucky. No matter how much experience you have at riding—and I have been on two wheels for over 40 years off road and on road—West Main Street is a dangerous place to bike. Keep your head up and eyes open.
Mike Goodman
Charlottesville