Last week when I was on one of my many bus rides of the week between the hospital and campus, I found myself on a bus with a man who was likely homeless. When he got onto the bus, people moved away from where he was, and while this man did carry quite a stench with him, I was angry with the people who did this. So, I started to talk to him.
Though I didn't have enough time to learn his whole life story, I was able to learn that he isn't from Ann Arbor, but found himself here because he thought people (family I think) here would help him. They have not helped him, however, and he has been living on the streets for too long to keep track of, or so he said. The man needed help finding 7-11, and since I was walking to my office on State St, I told him to walk with me and that he would be able to find it. When we said goodbye the amount of gratitude that he expressed was simply unbelievable. All I had done was offer humanity to this man, I did not judge, I did not fear, and I did not act oblivious to his needs. I talked to him, I treated him how I would hope others would treat me if I myself were to be homeless. He was kind, he was gentle, and he was lost. But why?
In such a political time in our country, we are being bombarded with FALSE information on a daily (if not hourly) basis regarding what each presidential candidate can give us. One thing that is TRUE, though, is that the Republican agenda would here about this man I tell you of and then stick up its nose, walk away, and whisper that he should help himself. And if he can't help himself, then find a community resource that can. In this agenda there is an assumption (well there are lots) that every human being has equal access to a prosperous life. Well we KNOW this isn't true. How are we all granted equal access to this is our education is not equal, if our kids are not made aware/taught about how to "help" themselves through education and better jobs? Well we just aren't. Our country's institutions are racist on a daily basis, kids from poor families with druggie mommy and daddy's are no longer getting benefits, and it's becoming harder and harder for minority populations to have a chance at making it "big and prosperous" even when they are educated about their choices. And if you're wanting to argue with the racist comment, tell me why white people get organs more than minorities (even when controlling for any representation distributions). Or tell me why black babies die 3 times more often in infancy than white babies. Well you can't explain these things without acknowledging the research that points to institutionalized and experienced racism.
So why do I care? Well I care for LOTS of reasons. Being a social worker, I am COMPLETELY committed to fighting for social justice even if it is not the popular ideology. I also care because this man is utilizing services right now, like shelters, food banks, and counseling, that will be taken away from him if Romney is put into office. Government program cuts means our most vulnerable clients suffer.
Yes I am ranting, but it is incredibly important. So much of the media DOES NOT educate you on the implications of your vote. Learn. Research. and vote.
Though I didn't have enough time to learn his whole life story, I was able to learn that he isn't from Ann Arbor, but found himself here because he thought people (family I think) here would help him. They have not helped him, however, and he has been living on the streets for too long to keep track of, or so he said. The man needed help finding 7-11, and since I was walking to my office on State St, I told him to walk with me and that he would be able to find it. When we said goodbye the amount of gratitude that he expressed was simply unbelievable. All I had done was offer humanity to this man, I did not judge, I did not fear, and I did not act oblivious to his needs. I talked to him, I treated him how I would hope others would treat me if I myself were to be homeless. He was kind, he was gentle, and he was lost. But why?
In such a political time in our country, we are being bombarded with FALSE information on a daily (if not hourly) basis regarding what each presidential candidate can give us. One thing that is TRUE, though, is that the Republican agenda would here about this man I tell you of and then stick up its nose, walk away, and whisper that he should help himself. And if he can't help himself, then find a community resource that can. In this agenda there is an assumption (well there are lots) that every human being has equal access to a prosperous life. Well we KNOW this isn't true. How are we all granted equal access to this is our education is not equal, if our kids are not made aware/taught about how to "help" themselves through education and better jobs? Well we just aren't. Our country's institutions are racist on a daily basis, kids from poor families with druggie mommy and daddy's are no longer getting benefits, and it's becoming harder and harder for minority populations to have a chance at making it "big and prosperous" even when they are educated about their choices. And if you're wanting to argue with the racist comment, tell me why white people get organs more than minorities (even when controlling for any representation distributions). Or tell me why black babies die 3 times more often in infancy than white babies. Well you can't explain these things without acknowledging the research that points to institutionalized and experienced racism.
So why do I care? Well I care for LOTS of reasons. Being a social worker, I am COMPLETELY committed to fighting for social justice even if it is not the popular ideology. I also care because this man is utilizing services right now, like shelters, food banks, and counseling, that will be taken away from him if Romney is put into office. Government program cuts means our most vulnerable clients suffer.
Yes I am ranting, but it is incredibly important. So much of the media DOES NOT educate you on the implications of your vote. Learn. Research. and vote.
