Someone raised a great question in the comments on the last blog: how would a bunch of middle-class do-gooders going 'homeless' for a week do anything to help the homeless? I thought it was a good question. Here are a few ideas:
Just:be Homeless is an experiential justice initiative that hopes to help alleviate the problem of homelessness in Australia.
We will ‘be’ homeless in order to:
identify (we want to know first hand some of the realities that face the homeless everyday).
solidarity (we want to align ourselves ‘with’ the homeless).
proximity (we want to tear down barriers/stereotypes and judgements that keep us apart).
voice (we want to create a means so people who find themselves homeless can speak for themselves).
awareness (we want others to pay attention to the problem in our cities and districts in order to affect change).
We will ‘be’ homeless in order to:
identify (we want to know first hand some of the realities that face the homeless everyday).
solidarity (we want to align ourselves ‘with’ the homeless).
proximity (we want to tear down barriers/stereotypes and judgements that keep us apart).
voice (we want to create a means so people who find themselves homeless can speak for themselves).
awareness (we want others to pay attention to the problem in our cities and districts in order to affect change).
There are other things we can do on a long-term basis to help... but for this week, this experience has the capacity to change US in order that we can change the world. And hey, it sure beats doing nothing.
"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men [and women] to do nothing." Edmond Burke
2 comments:
I believe that this can make a difference.
I have met a number Of people that are homeless in Adelaide and friends with some. From talking with them,I Know there are problems and issues that they face. and they see ''people" (whether government or non-government, or churches or individuals) come in to "address''or ''fix' the "precieved" problems issue thier.eyes without talKing to the people on the street to see if the 'idea is even any thing that the people on the stret want.
A lot of people that I have met on the steet would. Appreciate the fact that people have taken the time to
1. Experience what they experience and
2.(more importantly)listen to them,to hear and value What they have to say.
Sorry it was a bit Of a long comment
Lisa
great comment... good points and I agree.. it's a much harder thing to humble yourself and come along side people then to 'help' them from where you are... we are all learning together.
thanks Lisa... great ideas here.
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