Here Died A Homeless Person

Mar 17, 2008

Here Died A Homeless Person

Cindy pointed out an article to me in the LA Times titled “Here Died A Homeless Person.” It’s about a man named Ian Brennan who had an idea to put a permanent plaque at spots where homeless people died, in order to commemorate them. The markers wouldn’t look like the marker in the photo above–they would look like a bronze human figure lying on the ground. The City of San Francisco board of supervisors approved the idea. This obviously stirred up a lot of controversy. Some argued that it would be bad for business and tourism to do something so morbid. Some argued that the money would be better spent feeding homeless so that they don’t die in the first place.

I personally was shocked. What if I were to walk down the streets and saw basically gravestones on the street? That would be shocking and disturbing. The whole entire idea of this is shocking and disturbing. But I think that’s is exactly Brennan’s point. He wants to shock and disturb the city into paying attention to the homeless people who die on the street without a single soul to care for them or bury them.

Those who are more privileged have the privilege of ignoring those who are less privileged. We who are privileged even have the privilege of not knowing that we are privileged. Being aware of the problem is the beginning. Being aware and caring goes a long way towards solutions. I am still uncomfortable whenever I see a homeless person begging for money. But it’s better to know about a problem and feel uncomfortable than to breeze along in our lives without a thought to those who are cold and dying on the streets.

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3 Comments, Comment or Ping

Cindy

Bringing the invisible visible is the first step toward empowering the oppressed group. But sadly most people want them out of sight, out of mind.

Mar 17th, 2008
Jonathan

This is quite the waking up type of strategy that seems to work for many of us more “blessed” people. So often we who have much spend money on new toys and vacations without realizing there are people next to us without ability to pay for simple antibiotics. Even those working in the hospital will suggest giving someone a script for the best antibiotic without realizing that these people can only afford the lesser ones…thus sending them off with a prescription they can’t even fill.

Personally, I feel that supporting groups that help homeless people get a new edge on life is more productive than giving to a begging person. Orgs such as the Salvation Army or other homeless shelters that give room/board and job skills work much better than just handing over dollar bills. But what do we do about the many who don’t want to go there or don’t like the rules that these places have (have to clean up, have to work, etc)? It’s a question that tears even the most ideal person to thinking deeper.

Mar 17th, 2008
brian

back in college we had a women’s group called “take back the night.” they painted handprints on campus wherever there was a sexual assault or rape, and these handprints were everywhere. in front of every dorm, hidden in all the dark nooks and crannies. it was actually very disturbing, but it got everyone thinking, and i think that’s what counts. raising awareness about issues that society at large is in denial about. good for ian.

Mar 17th, 2008