I'm Not a Bum, I am a Human Being

"There is a cure for homelessness,
It shouldn't be a death sentence"

A quote from Providence Journal

A picture of a homeless man

 In Providence, Rhode Island, there are homeless people young and old that have died. Some from disease, sleeping out in the cold, and overall living in a dirty environment. Others have died because they were unable to go to the doctors for their sickness mentally or physically. Some even died from suicide, unable to cope living outside like an animal.

"I have people sayin' 'Get a job Bum', but hold on wait a minute I'm still human not a bum"

Acts of violence has been a common trend with homeless people. Many teens and other individuals go out and have "bum fights" on YouTube. Aside from making homeless people do immoral acts such as murder, defecation of on the streets; even many people are also the culprit of randomly harassing and punching the homeless according to Philly. Homeless people are not for our entertainment. They are not your pet or toy that you can boss around.

Numerous times I have heard, even from the kindest people, that homeless people are lazy and need to find a job. However, one must look at it through their perspective.

"I go in with my resume, not looking presentable. They [employees] leave me with 'leave a number and maybe we'll call you back.' But how am I going to leave a number if I don't have a phone?"

That quote was from the homeless man in the video above. Much of these people are war veterans, and even educated people.

"I have a masters degree in mechanical engineering and physics from Dartmouth. I moved here to accept a job offer; but apparently, they gave it to someone else. Now I'm here sleeping in a homeless shelter and on the streets."  Maurice Johnson, a homeless man stated.

I have also heard that some people deserve it, they set up this lifestyle for not taking initiative in their life. Although it may be true that some were reckless, do they deserve to be dehumanized, and forced to simply become objects of entertainment or even someone negatively looked down upon? Would you want to be looked on with such pity, full of humility, and even judged for something that isn't necessarily your fault? We don't know their story, but many just want recognition that they are human beings, not simply a bum with a sign and  a cup.

Child, Where do you sleep?

My bedroom, the one place I called my own as a child. A place where each item symbolized who I was as a person. 

A blanket, my friend that was there for me when I was cold, scared and sad. The warmth of my sheets welcomed me on a cold, winter day.  After watching the video, I have realized that I took these basic items for granted.  

The Room in the Cabinets

In the Philippines a young child, not much older than the age of five, showed me where she slept since she was four. We were outside in an open market and I watched as she went inside the cabinets of the table, like in the picture below. In this stall her mother sold vegetables and herbs outdoors. Her tiny plot had no sheets, no pillows, just  little ants for company.  I was bewildered and felt such pity. Having no where to go, she is frightened and forced to sleep there, cowering from security officers at night. However, to my amazement she was still thankful, saying that without this stall she would've been sleeping on the street, where it's more dangerous. For me, warmth and comfort was always there when I grew up. Although it is a basic human  right to have a bed and shelter to stay in, many children do not have this. 

Picture of a Market Stall

Children's rights 

When one thinks about Children's rights, they usually do not think about bedrooms. However, children should be able to know that they can peacefully and safely sleep in a place without being scared. Multiple times we provide food, toys, games, etc.  But we never think about giving children a bed or a room they can stay in. Which is ironic because I felt that as a child, decorating my bedroom was the only way to express myself. 

Roathy, 8, Phnom Penh, Cambodia: A young boy in poverty

Where Children Sleep

The video and pictures are all from a book called Where Children Sleep by James Mollison, who wanted to show the different ranges of Children's rights through bedrooms. Mollison took pictures of their rooms from all around the world. Although I would love to know their stories, these pictures do not need their descriptions, they tell a story on it's own.  From looking at their bedrooms their personality resonates because people are able to change the contents of their room to show own interests, aspirations and identity.  In multiple pictures, the social class is also evident; clearly showing which children are in poverty. Although this video doesn't focus on children who are in poverty, I felt that those pictures struck me the most. It was definitely surprising seeing the sharp contrasts of these images. It makes me want to do something about it. I have learned to appreciate the little things because of these images.It has taught me that a picture is truly worth a thousand words.  

Rhiannon, 14, Darvel, Scotland:  Her bedroom shows so much of her personality

Sources: James Mollison