When the Neighbor You Have is not the Neighbor You Want (part II)
Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27
What’s in a name?
Every parent instinctively knows the importance of a name. From the time they learn that a little one is on the way to the moment that their little one is placed in their arms, parents ponder the right name to give their child. Parents know that a name casts the first impression. Our family followed a Biblical theme in naming our children. Others bless their children with a family legacy in their choice of names. One family in our community decided to go with a movie theme in their choice of names: their newborn sonMaverick, their daughter- Indy Anna (I’ll leave you to fill in the blank for their last name). Whatever our parents’ motivation, our name often precedes us in introduction, for better or for worse. Hopefully that first introduction opens the door.
But what happens when the name is lost, replaced instead by a description? Blind man… Special Needs child… Homeless person… Suddenly the description becomes the sole factor that frames the person. And sometimes that description can even strip the bearer of personhood. The case before the Supreme Court (Grants Pass v. Johnson), concerning sleeping in public places, has spurred a rash of articles and news reports discussing the “homeless problem.” One article described homelessness as a “destructive phenomenon” that “drives businesses and residents out of cities they once loved… leaving large piles of trash which are both health and fire hazards.” The writer complained about the “homeless” and their “complete disregard for other people who have a right to use public spaces.” In that article only those with homes are “people” with “rights.” The article correctly cites concerns about public safety, property values, and the challenge of competing needs for public space. Yet, as soon as a person is identified as a problem, the face of that person blends in with their make-shift home that we call trash.
What is forgotten in the discussion about the homeless is that those people are our neighbors, who have slipped through the cracks. Some of us are blessed with a family safety net to catch us if life takes a harsh turn. But what if that net has a hole? Many Americans live one crisis away from homelessness. Meet Alice, a senior citizen who has made the painful discovery that Social Security does not pay all the bills. Meet Bill, a Viet Nam veteran, who struggles to hold down a job because he is still haunted by the war he fought for our country. Meet Jeff, who had back surgery, and then became addicted to the opioids his doctor prescribed. Meet Amanda, whose husband walked out, leaving her unable to pay the rent, and now she and her children live in a shelter. Meet Jim, who lost his job… his home… his confidence… and now he is just lost… thrown away by a society that has forgotten his name. These neighbors too often blended together in a nameless collage we call the homeless problem.
In 2009, Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx teamed up to tell the story of a brilliant musician, Juilliard trained, who ended up on the streets of Los Angeles. The movie The Soloist portrays a journalist- Steve Lopez- who is searching for the topic of his next column for the Los Angeles Times. He happens upon a rather scruffy man playing a violin under a highway overpass. The location is unsafe, the man seems disoriented, but the talent is unmistakable. How does a gifted musician end up on the streets? That question not only gives Lopez fodder for his column, but it also leads him to a friendship with Nathaniel Ayers and a personal quest to help. In the months that follow, Lopez discovers the complexities of mental illness, the challenges of accessing social services, the dangers faced by those who live on the streets, and the community that those who are unhoused form with each other. What begins as a writing project becomes a rescue mission. And when that rescue mission fails by all our middle-class measures, Lopez discovers a friendship. The Soloist helps all of us see the face of Nathaniel Ayers- a son, a brother, an artist, a friend.
Perhaps our first step in helping our society to see the face of our neighbors is to carefully guard how we speak of them, not as homeless people, or the homeless problem, but as Alice, Bill, Jeff, Amanda, Jim, and Nathaniel. May we remember the motto of Project Home- NONE OF US ARE HOME UNTIL ALL OF US ARE HOME. I think Jesus would agree.
With you caring about our neighbors,
Anita
Every parent instinctively knows the importance of a name. From the time they learn that a little one is on the way to the moment that their little one is placed in their arms, parents ponder the right name to give their child. Parents know that a name casts the first impression. Our family followed a Biblical theme in naming our children. Others bless their children with a family legacy in their choice of names. One family in our community decided to go with a movie theme in their choice of names: their newborn sonMaverick, their daughter- Indy Anna (I’ll leave you to fill in the blank for their last name). Whatever our parents’ motivation, our name often precedes us in introduction, for better or for worse. Hopefully that first introduction opens the door.
But what happens when the name is lost, replaced instead by a description? Blind man… Special Needs child… Homeless person… Suddenly the description becomes the sole factor that frames the person. And sometimes that description can even strip the bearer of personhood. The case before the Supreme Court (Grants Pass v. Johnson), concerning sleeping in public places, has spurred a rash of articles and news reports discussing the “homeless problem.” One article described homelessness as a “destructive phenomenon” that “drives businesses and residents out of cities they once loved… leaving large piles of trash which are both health and fire hazards.” The writer complained about the “homeless” and their “complete disregard for other people who have a right to use public spaces.” In that article only those with homes are “people” with “rights.” The article correctly cites concerns about public safety, property values, and the challenge of competing needs for public space. Yet, as soon as a person is identified as a problem, the face of that person blends in with their make-shift home that we call trash.
What is forgotten in the discussion about the homeless is that those people are our neighbors, who have slipped through the cracks. Some of us are blessed with a family safety net to catch us if life takes a harsh turn. But what if that net has a hole? Many Americans live one crisis away from homelessness. Meet Alice, a senior citizen who has made the painful discovery that Social Security does not pay all the bills. Meet Bill, a Viet Nam veteran, who struggles to hold down a job because he is still haunted by the war he fought for our country. Meet Jeff, who had back surgery, and then became addicted to the opioids his doctor prescribed. Meet Amanda, whose husband walked out, leaving her unable to pay the rent, and now she and her children live in a shelter. Meet Jim, who lost his job… his home… his confidence… and now he is just lost… thrown away by a society that has forgotten his name. These neighbors too often blended together in a nameless collage we call the homeless problem.
In 2009, Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx teamed up to tell the story of a brilliant musician, Juilliard trained, who ended up on the streets of Los Angeles. The movie The Soloist portrays a journalist- Steve Lopez- who is searching for the topic of his next column for the Los Angeles Times. He happens upon a rather scruffy man playing a violin under a highway overpass. The location is unsafe, the man seems disoriented, but the talent is unmistakable. How does a gifted musician end up on the streets? That question not only gives Lopez fodder for his column, but it also leads him to a friendship with Nathaniel Ayers and a personal quest to help. In the months that follow, Lopez discovers the complexities of mental illness, the challenges of accessing social services, the dangers faced by those who live on the streets, and the community that those who are unhoused form with each other. What begins as a writing project becomes a rescue mission. And when that rescue mission fails by all our middle-class measures, Lopez discovers a friendship. The Soloist helps all of us see the face of Nathaniel Ayers- a son, a brother, an artist, a friend.
Perhaps our first step in helping our society to see the face of our neighbors is to carefully guard how we speak of them, not as homeless people, or the homeless problem, but as Alice, Bill, Jeff, Amanda, Jim, and Nathaniel. May we remember the motto of Project Home- NONE OF US ARE HOME UNTIL ALL OF US ARE HOME. I think Jesus would agree.
With you caring about our neighbors,
Anita
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1 Comment
WWJD? When the church or people of faith encounter or grapple with the big meta issues of the day. Homeless addictions immigration climate elections Israel Palestine we wish sort of the Bible was like a Google or AI search engine. Type the problem in and a response is generated. Not that simple.
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nJesus does not speak clearly on every hot button issue or problem you have or ever have. But he does give clear guidance on how we are to think and approach such issues. In every case we are to practice mercy forgives and care if needed. But he spent much time warning or giving clear guidance of the risks the loss the sacrifices required if we are serious about being a neighbor to people who may not really be all that happy about it. It’s not about you.
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n At Lambertville church we had a large gym rec center in the center of town. Mercer Co Human services approached us about serving as an overnight warming center to a population of homeless single men. Primarily migrant Hispanic ag workers who follow the crops. I and Session said yes. But insisted on staffing ratio s at least two Spanish speaking aid workers on site alway. Security. Security security. Once doors secured and drug deals often done inside and out. Our security assigned were armed and trained in intervention methodologies. And we had skin in the game. Church folks volunteered post training. As one who will not ask ask others to do what I was not willing to do. I took shifts and I took security rotations. 5 years 2010 to 2015. Over 3K took me refuge in our gym. Zero incidents.
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nWere all church folks happy? No I had elders and church members quit the church with hold offerings. Tried to get me fired. WWJD? If you talk the talk. Walk the walk. Just do it. Only question what are you willing to sacrifice.
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