In doing what I do for people experiencing homelessness and for families in need, I’m constantly reminded that sometimes we treat each other like trash. I realize that some people pretend they don’t see those who are homeless or hurry past them without acknowledgment. We treat them like pariahs, as if homelessness is contagious. We don’t even try to offer basic courtesy. Instead of saying “excuse me,” we say “get out of the way,” or we rush past altogether. We forget that we are all human beings.
I recently had a stark reminder of how people perceive those experiencing homelessness and how the homeless perceive us. It’s yet another thing in this country that tries to divide us, and it shouldn’t.
I was at the front desk when a homeless gentleman approached. I said, “Good morning, sir. How can I help you?” I make it a point to call everyone sir or ma’am unless they’ve asked me to use something else. That applies regardless of age or how someone might be perceived. A library should always be a place where everyone is equal.
His response was not what I expected.
“Ed, I just wanted to say thank you. You always treat me like I’m a human being, and I appreciate it.”
I said, “You’re welcome,” and asked if everything was okay. He assured me that he likes his new job, is getting plenty of hours and is working to get back on his feet. He then went to the back of the library and started reading the paper. This man is polite to all staff and other customers. He frequents the Shower Ministry, keeps his clothes clean and doesn’t really give off what people might think of as a “homeless vibe.” I was floored.
Imagine being treated as less than human simply because you are homeless, not because of something you said or did, but just because you have no home. When I lived in Hawaii in the early 90s, many homeless people lived in ‘A‘ala Park, including entire families. The parents worked full-time jobs, and often part-time jobs on top of that. Through no fault of their own, housing was simply too expensive. Sometimes that’s the case. Other times it’s drug addiction, mental illness or alcoholism. There are all kinds of reasons for homelessness. Who are we to judge?
In January, BCPL, in cooperation with the Shower Ministry, will be releasing a series of videos featuring members of the homeless community. These videos will showcase the many different aspects of homelessness in our community. Maybe by sharing their stories, we can better understand their experiences and feel a little more human ourselves.
Have you ever gone to a training at work thinking, “Here goes nothing,” only to find out it has the potential to change your entire worldview? Something that inspires your work and gives you renewed purpose? I attended a library conference that focused on DEI, with a session called Meeting Students in the Margins: The Unique Information Needs of Diverse Populations. In walked a tall, well put-together white man who immediately pointed out the irony that he would be the one talking to us about diversity. His humor made me more receptive to his point of view.
He showed a video interview with one of his coworkers, an African American woman. She shared that she was one of the first African American students at the University of Kentucky. She talked about her experiences as a student, the difficulty of being in an environment so different from what she was used to and the attitudes of those around her. She struggled to fit in and to form effective study groups.
What stood out to me wasn’t the lack of diversity itself, but the power of her telling her story and sharing her unique point of view. It intrigued me because it made me consider a perspective I hadn’t thought about before. My next thought immediately turned to the homeless population I work with. How could I help people better understand what they’re going through? Could I do that by interviewing one person? Of course not. It would have to be multiple interviews, representing a variety of backgrounds.
I was so energized by the idea that I accosted my director in the lunch line about 15 minutes after the presentation ended and told her my plan. She encouraged me to do it. That was in October of 2023.
I would like to thank Mr. Devin Phelps of Somerset Community College for his wonderful presentation and the inspiration it gave me. I hope these videos will have a similar effect on those who take the time to watch them.
