Looking Around Us

We all are privileged in someway, many of us in multiple ways. Many of us have things that some people can't get even though it is a basic need to survive in life. Health insurance, food, and even something as simple as water. We don't even give these people a second look as we walk by and they are begging for even just a penny. We view them as dangerous because of their appearance, even though they have nothing to change or help the way they look.

Being from Oklahoma we have many homeless, especially in my hometown of Muskogee. We are taught to look away and don't help them because they could end up hurting us. We have many people who even pretend to be homeless just so people will give them money, so now the ones that are actually homeless have to go to our courthouse and PURCHASE a vest. They make these people that barley even have a enough money to feed themselves to go and buy a vest just so that we can identify that they are homeless, just so we can keep passing by them. I am appalled by this, we shouldn't be looking away, but to identify the problem itself and try to make a change. 

I've only been in D.C. for a couple of weeks and I can already see that there are so many homeless citizens. They are kind and accept anything even if it's just a conversation, just to be able to tell their story to someone and to be listened to. One day I was walking to go eat lunch outside to get out of the office, and I saw an old man sitting asking for change and I checked to see if I had any when he asked. I had no change because I used what I had left for laundry, I told him, “I am sorry sir I have no change or cash...” he seemed very understanding and he told me he was trying to just buy a sandwich. I remembered I packed a peanut butter sandwich and asked him if he would like to have it as I also had some chips. He told me no that it was my food and he didn't want me to go without, but I could have easily went and got more food but he couldn't. I told him that it was fine and I can go get something else, so he took it and was so happy to have some type of meal.

When we walk pass these people we should be stopping and making an effort to help and find a way to make their days better. After having been focused on the health reform bill at my placement, seeing what this bill could cause to happen to many people if it is passed. It could cause things to be worse for the homeless and cause there to be more people that are homeless. We don't want that to happen and we can stop it. Help those you see on the streets, no matter if it's change or even a conversation. Talk to your government and help to make sure that no one else has to go through these type of situations. Think about the other people who are suffering more than you are.

-Skye Dixon, EYA Intern  2017