We drive into the city to attend the game or go to a concert. We sit in our seats purchased for fifty dollars at the very minimum. We pay to park in lots that are protected so our SUVS won’t be left in danger. As we walk to the stadium or convention center we see the faces. They make us feel dirty. We pass on by wondering what they might have done with the fifty cents if we would have given it to them. Drugs? Alcohol? As we exit the city and head home to our safe little (or huge) home tucked away in the suburbs, we are glad to leave the filthe and grime behind.
But are they filthe?
Are they grime? or dirt?
Are they just faces?
They’re human beings with a story. But we don’t want to hear that. It’s easier to oppress or not care if we can in some way dehumanize the person. We refer to them as "the homeless" or "bums" as if that’s what they are. And we call ourselves Christians? Shame on us.
Shame on us when we don’t look them in the eyes. Shame on us when we take the skywalk to ensure ouselves no contact with them. Shame on us when we think it’s entirely their fault – that we are somehow intrinsically better because our sins, maybe wrath, maybe greed, didn’t put us on the streets.
Over the next months I’m going to be spending time on the streets of Baltimore learning their stories – because they do have stories. I’ll use this blog as my medium to put names to the faces that we see. It’s time we change.
Hopefully I’ll add to this series once or twice a month. The first post will be this Monday.
1 Comment
February 6, 2007 at 2:54 pm
I just wonder what can be done. Sometimes it seems that the task is just too large. I’m not saying that we should do nothing, I’m just saying that it can be overwhelming.