Our Part

Today, I had the opportunity to participate in a high school video project on the homelessness community. I applaud the student’s interest and heartfelt motivation. It is good that young people take an interest in working towards positive change rather than the mastering of an X-Box controller. But after the camera was turned off and I sat down at my folding table at the winter shelter, it occurred to me that the question, “What can the community do for the homeless?” is being asked far too often. The question that is not being asked is “What can the homeless community do for itself?”

If you recall my post on Breaking out of Powerlessness, it seems to me that the same fundamental errors of dependence on changing the opinions or reliance on the largess of others are in play. Yes, a willing community is essential in reducing homelessness. Yes, local government must play a leadership role, or at least get out of the way of those seeking positive change. Yes, local law enforcement is a crucial part of working towards that end. However; much more important than all of these is change from within the homeless community itself. 

The clichés of “A hand up not a hand out” and “Teaching one to fish rather than giving one a fish” are bantered around like philosophical panaceas. Both assume that the recipient is willing to be an active participant in the transaction. Here lay the difference between progress and stasis.

In order to complete a perfect trinity of clichés I must add, “The Definition of Insanity: Repeating the same process and expecting a different result.” You (second person) cannot sit on a park bench, or occupy a couch in your local library, or stand in front of a grocery store panhandling all day and expect your life to change for the better. The improvement of your life requires your active participation. 

Do at least one thing every day of which you can be proud. I’m not asking that you stop a terrorist attack or find the cure for cancer. Start small… fill out a job application, seek addiction counseling, volunteer, and then... find the cure for cancer. A prerequisite to all of these is to stop waiting for someone else to intercede and make everything better. You are the only one who can do this for you.