Can we say people who are homeless are cultures canaries in the coal mine, or does that fall into some category of prejudice? Canaries were taken down in the coalmine by miners because the birds suffered or died before the miners due to noxious substances. This warned the miners to get out.
Maybe folks living on the street are powerful reminders of danger in this culture of worshipping celebrities and the ultra-successful. A culture of disregard also. Intent on ravaging perfectly good kitchens because of a desire for a new surface look. And this while someone watches it on television as entertainment, meanwhile another whale chocks on plastic.
And all this while some people are hungry, ill, strung-out on bad drugs and have nowhere to go. And the connection between us and them remains locked in the disturbing belief that everyone has a choice.
Do we blame society for the plight of people on the street, or do we blame the people on the street? Perhaps provide homes for everyone everywhere as a solution to people on the streets?
But what if there is not a solution? What if we just accept what is in the moment? Can we improve the encampments? Find new ways to offer care?
How long will it take to understand there is no us and them? And how long will it take for the wisdom of I am my brother’s keeper to be embraced with boots on the ground by all of us?