9,509 Views
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Veronica
This puts life into perspective for all of us. A homeless person could very easily be a family member of ours at any given moment. Loss of job, break up of a relationship, inability to meet financial obligations, drug addition, mental issues, etc. can all lead to a homeless situation. We have to put faces on the homeless. They are someone's child, father, mother, sister, brother, grandparent, etc. Yes, some choose to be and remain in a state of homelessness. It becomes comfortable to them. Yet others were forced by a change(s) in their lives that they haven't been able to recover from. They want to remove themselves from it, but they need a hand up not a hand out. They still have their pride. Many find it hard to accept assistance, because those helping often brag about doing so or hold it over their heads. We must always remember many of us are a paycheck or circumstance from being where they are now. Should it happen to you, will you have a face or will you just be another amongst many? At least acknowledge the next homeless person you see. Just a friendly "hello" may spark a warmness that physical heat cannot. -
Anne
Everyone got changed, regardless of whether the "homeless" were really homeless or not.
I thought it would be more fair to those passing by (and possibly more statistically significant) if the "homeless" persons' faces were more visible, rather than under a hat tipped downwards, etc. -
Holliday
Fantastic experiment! saying hello and remembering their names really lifts their spirits. Food also helps! In San Diego we have 10-15,000 homeless and many are women and children. There is only one night shelter for women with 35 beds that is always full. It is illegal to sleep in your car and the safe park programs have a waiting list of 100 people. 5.000 homeless are teenagers. It is a horrible situation. San Diego needs help! -
Sheila Edwards
We can no longer ignore situations when we have a face and a name and that person is someone we know and love -
Keith
It's the "look but don't see" mentality that is powerful to me. We may look toward humans lying there, but we don't (can't? won't?) see people. SEE THE PEOPLE, DON'T BE AFRAID. -
Betty
There is a saying - "There but for the right set of circumstances, go I". I believe this is not only true for the homeless but for criminals and all oppressive people as well. I try to remember this, be kind and count my blessings. -
Jeffrey Farrar Dean
Eye Opener -
Ginny
We are all family. We just don't recognize it. Speaking to the homeless, offering them more than money by taking the time to talk for a moment, to smile and offer encouragement; that's what came home to me. -
Deepak
Inspiring . Thank you . -
Savita
Touching
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Stacy Rosenblatt
What inspired me about this video is the raw emotions were of the family members who literally walked right by their "people" and didn't see them. It makes the homeless issue so real and personal . I Am guessing that they will SEE every homeless in a whole new light: somone's mother, father, sister brother, and sadly someone's grandparent. I run an 80 single adult homeless shelter and this video got to me, and I've seen a lot! It was really powerful and I've seen it before. Just this evening I was in Target and ran into an ex-resident who had been a homeless, single, mother of two, and now she is a nurse! I cried when she told me, so proud of her. We ALL want to be seen, we ALL want to be heard, AND we all need a kind word and a smile! Thank you for taking the time to make and post this important video. POWERFUL. -
Loni Todoroki
What inspired you about this video? To get that word out that that Lil ole lady you see there may have been someone's favorite Aunty or someone's mother....is the inspiration for me.... -
Loni Todoroki
I know as I've gotten older and have gotten back in touch with friends, family from many years ago....I am often surprised and thought if the meeting had not been planned--I would not have recognized them.....I guess this is no different....When I see homeless, I guess I have always known their lives were not always this way...and I often have wondered how they ended up "homeless?" Sometimes...I have even asked.... -
tony
I realized that even though I often give money to homeless/street people I still do not SEE them -
Indigo
My brother was homeless for many years, and that's what suddenly made street people visible to me. I wasn't looking for him, we live in different states, but I realized that street people are somebody's brother, sister, father, mother, aunt. I started making eye contact, offering food and money, and even started working at a homeless shelter. So this video was very moving. -
Susannah
I'm not sure - it was so obviously acted, perhaps a pity we 'knew'. Just the last bit - Tom and his wife. Choking. How it all happens. Is part of it choice? So many thoughts will come later.
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- Find out more about Make Them Visible's efforts to raise awareness to humanize the homeless.
- Watch the inspirational story of a sidewalk poet who finds home when a woman sees his humanity and recognizes him as an artist.
- Make an effort to see the person behind the donation cup or sign. Make eye contact, share a smile, perhaps exchange a few words...
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Apr 18: On How To Be Yourself, Alexandra Morris pledged to ... Let go of comparing myself constantly to others. I am ok as I am!
Continue to believe that... -
Feb 19: On A Gift Economy at Karma Kitchen, Monica C. Castillo pledged to ... Post Karma Kitchen story on face book page. Connect with a friend to explore how we could begin... -
Feb 16: On Letting Go, Gently, Heidi pledged to ... Try to stop searching outside and enjoy what I already have -
Jan 16: On Amazing Grace, by Wintley Phipps, Paul Jones pledged to ... Love god, and allow God to use me as he see fit. -
Dec 07: On Conspiracy of Goodness, Josie Carothers pledged to ... Only click on positive news and stories. And spread them around when I can.
And talk to people...
Johanne