Advocacy against Homelessness

I would consider myself to be a pretty socially self-conscious person, I am an advocate for Gay Rights, I would say that I am pretty well versed in youth advocacy, feminism, and in education issues. While I spent time at Gannon University, it was hard to not be aware of the homelessness in Erie, whether it was through Gannon's annual Hunger and Homelessness Week, or just walking down State St. and seeing all of the those who were unable to find a home. While I was aware of all of this, I never really educated myself on the true issues of homelessness in this country, I never really paid much attention to those who are without a home. When I came to New Orleans, I was still not very well versed or really knowledgeable of the homelessness in the city, until recently when I was very much made aware of how bad the government was about handling this issue.

In New Orleans, there is not much notice of the vast amounts of homelessness in the city because most of those who are homeless, stay in either the blighted homes or reside under the Pontchartrain Expressway underpass, right by the Super-dome (this is important to know.) They reside here because well when it does cold in New Orleans this is the safest and warmest place to be, it is also protected from rain and other people. This was true all up until just a few days ago when the City of New Orleans sent out an order officially telling all of the homeless under the underpass that they would breaking the law if they stayed there, putting up fences and signs saying they would be arrested if loitering. Now this was not an unprecedented event, the city was working prior to this with the cities missions to provide extra beds and food for all of the displaced people. The part of this sad story that makes me so angry is the timing and the reasons why the city decided on now as their time to take this action. The reason for displacing so many people, is because in two months New Orleans will be hosting the Super Bowl, which is why I mentioned the geographic location of the bridge to the Super Dome.

The plan is to erect a fence around the underpass, to keep out the homeless who usually reside there, and making sure they move to the cities not so many missions and shelters (who by the way are not receiving much extra money to feed or bed the over 300 homeless that are anticipated to be sheltered.) The city also did not tell the missions or anyone really when they were planning on executing the action. They did not go into the underpass with social workers or health care workers to help those with mental disorders or who have never had a home, find their way to the shelter or to the missions. The police simply came in told those who were there to leave, and put up fences and signs telling all who reside there to leave. I understand the cities reasons for executing the action, it was part for the Super Bowl, but also because of the ongoing residential complaints of the health and safety hazards of so many people living in this space (having recently had two rapes occur, as well as numerous accounts of public defecation.) I don't understand however how this is supposed to be a solution to the homeless issue in New Orleans, moving people around like cattle for vanity of the city, and making public notices is just a band aid solution to an on-going problem that is clearly going to return after the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.

What am I going to do about this, now that I have ranted to you for three paragraphs, well I am going to start educating myself on the history and statistics of homelessness in not only New Orleans but also the US. I want to become an advocate against homelessness, I would like to spend more time trying to volunteer in the NOLA Mission, or even in Covenant House (one of the major shelters in the city.) I have realized that I have a passion for helping all of these people who shouldn't be treated like they are simply because they can't find a decent place to live.

Well until next time,

Peace and God Bless 

Removing Privilege From My Life

I have been in New Orleans for two and a half months now, and I have been meeting a lot of interesting people, even if just for a few moments. Every time I tell people here that I work in Central City, (mind you is also considered the murder capital of the country), I hear this statement, "God Bless you working in such a rough neighborhood, is it hard working with people who live in the Ghetto?" Every time I hear this kind of a statement, my first reaction is to laugh and think "I didn't even realize that I work in a ghetto." I am not blind in seeing all of the blight and drunkeness in the neighborhood that I work, but every person I have come across has a steady job, or is retired from a long time steady job, they have a large family, and are the kindest people I have ever known. Every time I hear those statements about how I am an angel for working in such harsh conditions or that I am a saint for volunteering in the ghetto of New Orleans, I want to ask those who make these statements, "have you ever taken the time to walk through Central City, and talk to some of the people there?" Because if they did they would probably notice that these people who they talk down about as if they are poor or homeless, are actually a lot like them, only happier.

When I first started hearing these statements about my being an angel or saint, I immediately thought about how that is what people said and those were questions asked when my mom taught in the Erie City School District. The way my mom got through all of the mistaken identities of those she was teaching, was to treat them like kids, which is what they wanted to be treated like. When I go to work and meet with people in Central City, I don't talk down to them, I talk to them like my equals. I give them the respect, that I would want from them. When I was first introduced to the people of my neighborhood, all of them told me I was welcome to come over and have coffee or dinner any time. When I worked with them on my second event on Halloween, I made so many friends with the residents of the neighborhood working with them giving out candy to kids. I have seen nothing but open arms and happy faces every time I have meetings with my residents in the neighborhood.

Working down here in New Orleans has also given me some insight about what Erie would look like if every one would stop looking at those on State Street with the respect that we would want for ourselves. Really I have to stop and think about what the world would look like if we all stopped talking to each other with a privileged filter, but rather just talked to each other with respect and dignity. This may sound like a late revelation, but I feel like I have found out something that I was supposed to find out a long time ago. I think that I have spent so much of my time down here trying to convince myself that I am helping those less fortunate, really I am down here just giving my time to those who need some help. They are asking that I help them do something, and take action, giving their neighborhood some dignity in the city, giving Central City a new view.

I am going to challenge myself from now on, and I am going to challenge one bit further, I challenge anyone reading my blog. My challenge is this, anyone that you talk to throughout your days, or lives, anyone, take down the walls of privilege, and talk to them like they are your friend. Give them the respect you would want when you are being talked to. I am going to do that from this day forward, I am not going to be a privileged white kid anymore, I am going to only talk to people with the respect that I would give myself. If you care to try, I would love to hear about your experiences with this. It is not an experiment, just a change of lifestyle.

I think we will be surprised at how many people will be nicer and more welcoming to us in return, just by giving them respect, and not acting like we are better then them.

Well until next time.

Peace, and God Bless. ☮