I'm somewhat in the process of writing an article on homelessness in Los Angeles County. According to stats, LA County is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States, with the highest population of homeless individuals. Over the past few years, the numbers are in decline and LA County's city mayors have been pushing to continue the trend. Still, while strolling down Wilshire Blvd. on any given day, I see no less than five homeless people in 30 minutes (and this is in Brentwood, a highly exclusive area).
It occurred to me this weekend though, I may be stereotyping people as being homeless. Just because I saw a man sitting in the shade of a tree outside a restaurant, dressed raggedly with bags beside him, gazing at something I must not have seen; this does not prove he is homeless. Because I didn't have the courage to ask him, I proceeded down the street, vowing to ask the next coherent, homeless looking individual whether or not my perception was valid.
Nearing Santa Monica, I approached a homeless looking gentleman who smiled at me as I got closer. As I began to pass, I stopped him to ask him directions to somewhere I somewhat knew the location of, buying time to work up the guts to ask him what I really meant to. Finally, I asked him if he was homeless. He responded wittily, "I don't have any property in my name."
After we departed, I started brainstorming my own thoughts on homelessness. Why was he labeled homeless and not I? Was he not at home in the streets where I would feel lost if left on my own? If "home is where the heart is," he was at home, walking down the street with a smile on his face, reflecting a merry heart. I on the other hand was battling with myself at heart, frustrated with the knowledge that all I work to gain will never make me as happy as he appeared to be in that moment.
What are your thoughts on homelessness? Is a home just security? If so, can any of us ever truly have a home? Can security be guaranteed? In security, do we just make up for our own insecurity, the lack of security we feel inside with ourselves and the others we're around?
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Uganda's anti-gay sentiments: similar to those in United States?
Yesterday, I heard news of a Ugandan newspaper encouraging the death of 100 gay/lesbian individuals in its home country.
Inwardly, I was incensed.
Today, I read the same news and my negative emotions surfaced again. This time, I am outwardly expressing them with my pen (keyboard, I mean).
Currently residing in Los Angeles, I am in daily contact with people, such as myself, labeled as "gay/lesbian." Just yesterday, after hearing the Ugandan anti-gay, pro-murder news, I decided to wear purple and take a walk, supporting Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) "Spirit Day." How fortunate I am to have the privilege of revealing my lifestyle in this country without constant fear of violence, I thought.
Then, I remembered my friend who called me earlier in the week. He has been harassed numerous times this month by people negatively calling him out on his sexuality. I remembered Tyler Clementi who jumped off the Hudson Bridge, Asher Brown, the 13-year-old who shot himself, and countless others the media have not yet revealed. Were these youth driven to suicide because of the violence inflicted on them-the violence of bullying?
Ilana Angel posted a blog on JewishJournal.com, "Gay Teen Suicide: Rest in Peace Asher, Raymond, Tyler, Billy & Seth," where she cites the military, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy as a part of the catalyst to teen, gay suicides. Is she correct? How does the military's turning away of gay and lesbian applicants register in the minds of those discarded? What does it say about our military and it's "mission to spread democracy" to all?
And what about the government itself, see-sawing between repealing the policy and staying it? Will we continue to label the Ugandan homophobia as "ominous" while allowing the structural violence against homosexuals within our own country?
What are some movements, actions, words, or thoughts permeating our own society that condone violence against homesexuals, directly and indirectly? My mom used to reference a Bible verse from Matthew and tell me not to point out the speck of sawdust in someone else's eye before taking the plank out of my own. Is killing someone's quality of life the same as taking away their quantity of life?
Also, see today's story on Democracy Now linking Uganda's anti-gay sentiments with right-wing U.S. evangelicals. With the rise of the Tea Party movement, what can be said of the future of the United States, specifically for homesexuals?
Inwardly, I was incensed.
Today, I read the same news and my negative emotions surfaced again. This time, I am outwardly expressing them with my pen (keyboard, I mean).
Currently residing in Los Angeles, I am in daily contact with people, such as myself, labeled as "gay/lesbian." Just yesterday, after hearing the Ugandan anti-gay, pro-murder news, I decided to wear purple and take a walk, supporting Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) "Spirit Day." How fortunate I am to have the privilege of revealing my lifestyle in this country without constant fear of violence, I thought.
Then, I remembered my friend who called me earlier in the week. He has been harassed numerous times this month by people negatively calling him out on his sexuality. I remembered Tyler Clementi who jumped off the Hudson Bridge, Asher Brown, the 13-year-old who shot himself, and countless others the media have not yet revealed. Were these youth driven to suicide because of the violence inflicted on them-the violence of bullying?
Ilana Angel posted a blog on JewishJournal.com, "Gay Teen Suicide: Rest in Peace Asher, Raymond, Tyler, Billy & Seth," where she cites the military, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy as a part of the catalyst to teen, gay suicides. Is she correct? How does the military's turning away of gay and lesbian applicants register in the minds of those discarded? What does it say about our military and it's "mission to spread democracy" to all?
And what about the government itself, see-sawing between repealing the policy and staying it? Will we continue to label the Ugandan homophobia as "ominous" while allowing the structural violence against homosexuals within our own country?
What are some movements, actions, words, or thoughts permeating our own society that condone violence against homesexuals, directly and indirectly? My mom used to reference a Bible verse from Matthew and tell me not to point out the speck of sawdust in someone else's eye before taking the plank out of my own. Is killing someone's quality of life the same as taking away their quantity of life?
Also, see today's story on Democracy Now linking Uganda's anti-gay sentiments with right-wing U.S. evangelicals. With the rise of the Tea Party movement, what can be said of the future of the United States, specifically for homesexuals?
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