Over the weekend, we attempted to take our baby daughter to our neighbourhood park. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we were greeted by quite the sight: several tents set up along the grass, as well as a single man passed out on a bench. These are telltale signs of a homeless epidemic. Sure enough, as we approached the playground area, and I was just about to bring our baby out of her stroller, I could not help but notice the numerous pieces of broken glass on the pavement. Perhaps it was wrong of me to do so, but I could not help but to associate it with them--the homeless--as they obnoxiously blasted their rap music from behind me. At 11 in the morning, mind you. While young children played nearby.
(This is at one city park)
At one point, while growing up, I once possessed a great deal of empathy for my fellow man. I naively believed that anyone who had to beg to survive was obviously doing so because they had fallen on hard times, that they must have no other choice! I had no right to judge, as I had never truly experienced anything like that...
...Until I did!
Not but a couple of years back, I was not only homeless, but I was in an abusive relatioship and addicted to hard drugs as well. Despite being hyperaware of the consequences of drugs, as it is information that has been engrained in school children since we were 9, I still chose to try it. Despite not enjoying it, I continued to try it again. Despite knowing I needed to spend my finances (which were provided by the government) on important things, like rent and food, I still chose to go broke on drugs every month. Despite knowing I needed to quit after Day 1, I did not choose to do so until Year 1. I have no one to blame for that situation but myself. I do not expect sympathy from anyone.
Because of my perspective, it should come as no surprise that I hold the unpopular opinion that 95% of the homeless population do not deserve any sympathy, especially not the ones who impose on and destroy public property. Because, here is another thing that I experienced while being homeless: you do not have to be on the streets if you do not want to be!
(This is a different city park)
After I was in a domestic dispute one night, the police promptly showed up and escorted me to a women's shelter. It was here that I learned that, not only was I welcome to stay for a year if I needed it, but I would have my own bedroom and bathroom due to how empty the shelter was at the time. This was during the middle of COVID. On top of that, they provided multiple resources for leaving abusive relationships, finding employment, housing, assistance with children, etc. And 3 square meals every day! All of this was free. So what was my responsibility while staying there? Simple: I just couldn't do drugs.
(This is behind a YWCA shelter)
If people are out on the streets, they are making the conscious decision to do so; they do not want to give up their addictions. My city alone, which is a major metropolis, has a few dozen shelters available. Granted, it is easier said than done to quit, but if one truly wants to succeed, they need to put in the effort. It was one of the most challenging things I've had to do--the cravings stayed with me for over a year, longer than I spent actually doing the drug... It's why, again, the effort needs to be there. One of the most difficult parts of the journey is separating yourself from people and situations that enable drugs. For me, I knew the best thing was to break up with my then-boyfriend and move out of that living environment; as soon as I did, my situation improved! I no longer associated with anyone who partook in that part of my past. There was no more temptation--I was completely in control.
The homeless that destroy our communities do not care to improve their situations. Again, our government provides the population with endless resources: unemployment benefits, physical and mental disability, pregnancy and parental benefits, low-income housing, therapy, addiction, etc. There is no reason why tens of people need to occupy children's parks and schoolgrounds with tents, littering playgrounds with needles and glass, begging on every street corner.
And us--we should be ashamed of ourselves. Us, the onlookers, who have become a society of enablers, possessing endless empathy for those who made the conscious choice to do worse rather than the innocent children who did not do anything wrong.