A Blog Entry From Kevin (aka The Homeless Guy)
Kudos Kevin! I fully agree with you. Preach it Christian brother.
Enabling
Just a short note about "enabling." Enabling is the term used to describe actions taken on behalf of the homeless that perpetuates their homelessness, instead of bringing it to an end.
I have a couple things I want to say about that. First of all, enabling does not exist in reality - the idea of enabling is an inaccurate philosophical paradigm used by people seeking an excuse to not express compassion for the homeless.
There is a belief among people within our society that all people are goal seekers, (because they are goal seekers, everyone must be). And they believe that the goal of every homeless person is to stay homeless. And they believe that if they take away the ability to achieve the goal of homelessness, or make it extremely difficult, they can redirect homeless people to goals other than homelessness.
Well, most homeless people are not goal seekers, actually they are the antithesis goal seekers, especially the kind who succeed in America.
When things are provided for the homeless, these things only produce a level of homelessness that is not as injurious as without them. But, regardless of the services provided the homeless, the homeless will still be homeless.
Motivation to leave homelessness does not come by way of services provided, such as food and clothing, etc. Though, when a homeless person makes an attempt to leave homelessness, these things are crucial for his/her success. The only thing that motivates a homeless person to leave homelessness is a renewed believe that he/she is truly welcomed by society, and that a real place of significance and dignity awaits them once they leave homelessness. And, I must tell you, these things only come by way of real community - people honestly and sincerely involving themselves in the life of the homeless person, not just for the journey out of homelessness, but also for the life of the homeless person long after they've left homelessness.
If you are not willing to be a homeless person's friend, then who will? If you are not willing to be his/her friend, why would that homeless person care what you think is best? Where does a homeless person belong? With you? If not, then where?
Kudos Kevin! I fully agree with you. Preach it Christian brother.
Enabling
Just a short note about "enabling." Enabling is the term used to describe actions taken on behalf of the homeless that perpetuates their homelessness, instead of bringing it to an end.
I have a couple things I want to say about that. First of all, enabling does not exist in reality - the idea of enabling is an inaccurate philosophical paradigm used by people seeking an excuse to not express compassion for the homeless.
There is a belief among people within our society that all people are goal seekers, (because they are goal seekers, everyone must be). And they believe that the goal of every homeless person is to stay homeless. And they believe that if they take away the ability to achieve the goal of homelessness, or make it extremely difficult, they can redirect homeless people to goals other than homelessness.
Well, most homeless people are not goal seekers, actually they are the antithesis goal seekers, especially the kind who succeed in America.
When things are provided for the homeless, these things only produce a level of homelessness that is not as injurious as without them. But, regardless of the services provided the homeless, the homeless will still be homeless.
Motivation to leave homelessness does not come by way of services provided, such as food and clothing, etc. Though, when a homeless person makes an attempt to leave homelessness, these things are crucial for his/her success. The only thing that motivates a homeless person to leave homelessness is a renewed believe that he/she is truly welcomed by society, and that a real place of significance and dignity awaits them once they leave homelessness. And, I must tell you, these things only come by way of real community - people honestly and sincerely involving themselves in the life of the homeless person, not just for the journey out of homelessness, but also for the life of the homeless person long after they've left homelessness.
If you are not willing to be a homeless person's friend, then who will? If you are not willing to be his/her friend, why would that homeless person care what you think is best? Where does a homeless person belong? With you? If not, then where?
posted by Patti @ 8:45 AM
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