Where is the Humanity?

In recent weeks, I have encountered several articles in regard to the homelessness problem within our country.  None of these articles remotely suggest a viable solution to this growing problem.

weareallhomeless.blogspot.com

The first was an initiative to arrest persons found to be homeless and living on the streets in Tampa, Florida.  Tampa, which hosted the 2012 Republican National Convention, had been identified as a city with one the nation’s highest homeless problems. An obvious embarrassment when this determination was made before the convention. In response, Tampa City Council members recently enacted city ordinances authorizing the police to jail persons sleeping in public areas.  Realizing this city is in Florida, I sadly was not surprised. But where is the humanity?

The second was a similar course of action taken in Columbia, South Carolina.  In response to complaints of business owners in downtown Columbia, city officials have stated they will do all within their power to keep the homeless out of the downtown area.  Apparently, creating programs to assist these people is out of the realm of their power and authority, because the officials want to exile their homeless or incarcerate them.  Is this the trend in America - to criminalize those with socio-economic challenges?  Where is the humanity?

The next article I encountered was written by Hugh Hollowell and strikes a little closer to home. “Love Wins Ministries,” a local church group, has fed the homeless on weekends in Raleigh’s Moore Square for more than 6 years.   This weekend, the group, directed by Mr. Hollowell, was threatened with arrest if they continued the practice.  

Love Wins Ministries

According to the Mr. Hollowell’s article, the city of Raleigh (and Wake County for that fact), offers no shelter service, “soup kitchens” or other options for meals on weekends. It appears on weekends the homeless in Wake County are limited to fend for themselves for food and can only hope to find refuge on public property.  And now the “authorities” want to disallow the feeding of another hungry soul.  Is this not insanity?  Whatever happened to the milk of human kindness?  Where is the humanity?

City of Brotherly Love outlaws feeding the homeless outside.
Gary Dee/Wikimedia

In researching information for this blog, I came across this article which was posted on Atlanticcities.com in March 2012. Apparently Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, has outlawed the feeding of the homeless and hungry outdoors.  What kind of Brotherly Love is that?

My first personal recollection of the homeless situation in American occurred around 1982. Ironically, it was on the streets of Philadelphia. The nation was under the strain of “Reaganomics” and then President Ronald Reagan had signed legislation effectively closing mental health institutions all over America.  It seemed as if overnight, there were families living in cardboard boxes beneath overpasses, people talking to themselves, and hungry pan handlers everywhere.

It has been approximately 30 years and 4 presidential administrations since then and this problem continues. It is unfortunate that in the 21^st century this problem has not been resolved.  What’s worse is there are entities within our society that think it’s best to criminalize those in this situation, rather than fund programs to end this problem. 

Many good hearted individuals and organizations (primarily church based groups) have established and maintain shelters, meal programs and recovery efforts for these fellow Americans. This is a good start but more is needs to be done.

Perhaps it is time we answer Cain’s question of God; “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  I believe God has positioned us all to say, “Yes, we are.”  Isn’t it time we again find our humanity?

I’m not hatin, I’m jus sayin…