by Carrie Cain (aka Harly)
People who have jobs and the safety, security and means to live don’t know how hard it
is to be homeless. They assume we’re all druggies, thieves, lazy, or in some way did
something to deserve this. They harass us, call us names, beat us up, accuse us of not
taking care of our animals, and try to steal them when most of us go without food to
feed our animals. Even the police do this and also tell us to leave or arrest us for trying
to sleep or make money to eat. We are forced to go to the bathroom outside like
animals because we’re not allowed to go in public restrooms unless we have money.
We have to worry about dying in the cold months because of theft of our bedding or
people throwing it away. We try so hard to live and keep hope--every day we do this.
The places that help can only do so much...and some claim they help and yet act as
though they would rather see all the homeless dead. In the eyes of so many we are
merely animals, eyesores, and parasites to be exterminated. The police department and
even the self-proclaimed “religious” people look at us that way. I have seen and met a
lot of truly kind, caring, helping and loving people, even if all they do is say “hi”...but I
have seen far, far more cruel and uncaring people.
Where did these people lose sight and understanding of what respect, love, caring,
kindness, helping and politeness are--and how to show these qualities to others? If they
did so, then maybe we would act the same to them. Believe it or not, we are people too.
All I ask and want, not just for me and my husband--but for ALL the homeless--is for us
to be treated like people instead of a disease. I only wish what I say won’t fall on deaf
ears. Unfortunately it will, for there are too many selfish, uncaring people in the world.
is to be homeless. They assume we’re all druggies, thieves, lazy, or in some way did
something to deserve this. They harass us, call us names, beat us up, accuse us of not
taking care of our animals, and try to steal them when most of us go without food to
feed our animals. Even the police do this and also tell us to leave or arrest us for trying
to sleep or make money to eat. We are forced to go to the bathroom outside like
animals because we’re not allowed to go in public restrooms unless we have money.
We have to worry about dying in the cold months because of theft of our bedding or
people throwing it away. We try so hard to live and keep hope--every day we do this.
The places that help can only do so much...and some claim they help and yet act as
though they would rather see all the homeless dead. In the eyes of so many we are
merely animals, eyesores, and parasites to be exterminated. The police department and
even the self-proclaimed “religious” people look at us that way. I have seen and met a
lot of truly kind, caring, helping and loving people, even if all they do is say “hi”...but I
have seen far, far more cruel and uncaring people.
Where did these people lose sight and understanding of what respect, love, caring,
kindness, helping and politeness are--and how to show these qualities to others? If they
did so, then maybe we would act the same to them. Believe it or not, we are people too.
All I ask and want, not just for me and my husband--but for ALL the homeless--is for us
to be treated like people instead of a disease. I only wish what I say won’t fall on deaf
ears. Unfortunately it will, for there are too many selfish, uncaring people in the world.
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