"The Homeless"

What do you think of when you hear the word “homeless?” Mental illness? Substance abuse? People too lazy to hold down a job? Body odor? Fear?

I think of crows.

What do you call birds that stick together?

Vel-crows.

Someone's whole world,
in a shopping cart

I heard this joke from one of my favorite patrons who I’ll call Tim. Tim has an endless supply of jokes that are so stupid they’re actually funny, and I always look forward to hearing his latest. But a lot of people don’t share my view. People give Tim dirty looks. They don’t return his smile, or even make eye contact. They move away from him when he sits down. 

Tim has three outfits, and depending on the weather he may be wearing all three at once. He’s scruffy looking and sometimes he doesn’t smell very good.  He always carries a large duffel bag and backpack. Because in addition to being a terrible joke teller and a genuinely nice guy, he’s also without a fixed permanent residence. And people see him not as “Tim” but as “just another homeless guy.”

Think about that for a minute.

How demeaning is it to be seen as merely part of a group instead of as an individual? To have unique aspects of what makes you, you…ignored? How would you feel, knowing you’re being judged not by that spark of you-ness, but by a stereotype? I wouldn’t be “Janet following in her librarian grandmother’s footsteps” I’d be just another librarian with glasses who shushes rowdy teenagers. 

I routinely field complaints about Tim (and his friends) from other patrons. The most frequent one being “Can’t you just ban them all? This is my library and I don’t want them here.” And my reply is always the same. 

“Yes, this is your library. And I’m glad you’re here. But you know what? This is their library too. And I’m glad they’re here.” 

Because here’s the thing. Public libraries are public places. We legally cannot--and will not--kick rule-abiding people out. And Tim and his friends rarely break library rules. In fact, they’re by and large the most well-behaved, kindest, and friendliest patrons I’ve interacted with. Yes, of course there are times when I’ve needed to ask Tim or one of his cohorts to leave because their current actions are going against library policy. But the rules apply equally to everyone. I’ve had to ask sweet little old ladies and businessmen to leave, too. 

I helped a woman obtain a computer pass last week. As I was talking her through how to log on to our system, she mentioned how grateful she was that the library was there to help her. I said that’s what I was here for. Because of course to me, this is just another part of my job. And she stopped me. “No, you don’t understand. This is my first day of homelessness. I didn’t know where to go. I came to the library because I knew you wouldn’t judge me."

Next time you see someone who looks like they may be experiencing homelessness, I’d like you to stop and think. See them as a person, not “the homeless.”

Remember, we're all human.  And we’re all in this together. And that person you’re looking at? She or he is human, too. The terrifying reality is that there is no guarantee that you won’t be on the other side someday. Homelessness can happen for many reasons. Especially in these times.  Job loss, medical bills, funding cuts for social programs. Any one of us can find ourselves without a roof over our heads. 

 

So see the faces and not the stereotype.  Acknowledge the individual, not the group.