In this commentary on Baltimore, I want to bring attention to the barbaric murder of a homeless man who many people may have known but very few liked. He was William Brown, a severe chronic alcoholic and drug user. And contrary to what his so-called friends may say, he was an angry, hate-filled, mean-spirited individual who didn’t mind cursing you out.
William Brown lived a life full of hate and violence. He would walk over anyone; he didn’t care. And a constant use of profanity was his trademark. But for some reason, one day someone became tired of the mess that William Brown was dishing out, and one day William brown was found murdered. His body was discovered behind the Baltimore Convention Center.
So, I asked myself just what happened the second week in January of 2005? Why was William Brown murdered and who murdered him? Was it an argument? If so, what was it about?
Research has shown that homeless people are very much subject to attacks and murders, especially by other homeless people. There is a constant war among the homeless. You see it in the shelters, you see it in community kitchens, and you see it in many of the churches that serve the homeless. Tension builds like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment.
I have to keep asking myself why there is so much hatred and dislike among the homeless when they are all in the same situation. It would seem to me that they would offer each other support and comfort when facing such hard times. But no! Their focus is looking out for number one. Screw the other guy.
At the Oasis Station, located at 220 Gay Street in downtown Baltimore, homeless crack heads gather all night to receive food stamps and general assistance benefits. And then the first thing they do is buy more crack or other drugs. As much as I hate to air out anyone’s dirty laundry, in Baltimore drugs are bought at every level. People are so strung out on drugs that they will do anything to get a high, even if it means using their own bodies to get it.
The drug problem in Baltimore is a disease that spreads and spreads until it reaches the very people you would never expect to be involved. The problem had gotten so out of hand that it has even permeated city government. City employees have fallen from good jobs onto the streets of Baltimore, broke and homeless, all their worldly possessions gone.
I have discovered people with college degree who are homeless. Homelessness can happen to anyone. No matter who you are or where you are. It can have such an effect that you become an angry, hate filled, mean-spirited individual that William Brown was, and eventually you are living a life that will kill you. Although there is a book known as the Bible, and in it a commandment saying that thou shall not kill, people kill anyway.
I wish that I lived in a perfect world, but that world does not exist. We are a society full of arrogance, ill manners, and sewer mouths, and a lot of other things. What ever happened to compassion and caring for your fellow man? What ever became of all that. Has the desire to fit in a certain crowd caused us to rot to the core?
William Brown is now a statistic. Why? It’s because he was a homeless man, and when something of this nature happens – a homeless man was murdered – he becomes a statistic. The homeless are considered third-class citizens in Baltimore. They are not deserving of respect. Did the death of William Brown get media attention? No, it did not. It wasn’t on the news. Why, you ask? It’s because William Brown was a homeless man. He meant nothing. His existence was meaningless.
So, I ask you, the general public, do you feel that the homeless should be considered non-existent? How many of you know someone who is homeless – a friend, a family member, a coworker? And if you don’t, they try to imagine a friend, a family member, or a coworker living on the streets. Think about it when you look down on a homeless person. Consider how it would be if you yourself were that homeless person.
Your comments and questions are always welcome. Please e-mail August Mallory at [email protected]. Also please listen to the More Betterman Show on WOL-AM, on the third Friday of the month, 2 to 4 a.m., for Voices from the Corner.
