I am a working homeless man who is 40 years old, and I have been through a lot of things. When I ask you for something while I am in need, what do you see? Do you see someone who has experienced a setback, or do you see someone who you would consider beneath you because of his condition?
The film “Trading Places” showed the differences between the upper class and lower class: One prestigious individual with high morals was able to obtain the needed qualities to perform at a high magnitude. The other individual was lower-class and had to work on a person’s emotions to be able to provide for himself. But just because I and others are lower-class does not mean we do not have good traits. In the end, the one who had everything envied the one who had nothing.
I am not those negative thoughts you have of me. I am not that twitch in your face muscle that shows how you perceive me. I do have ears to hear and I can be a good listener. But don’t shake your sleeve at me and pile up your anger on what I already have. I am a good person, I am just homeless, and I am looking for a better way. I have morals, Why do you want to strip me of my dignity? My pain was not pushed upon you! I just need(ed) some assistance, not every time, now, not some of the time but a few of the times.
I do what I can, but my health is not good. I still stand the best I can, and I walk at my pace. I need my health to keep my job. I need my job to support payment for my bills also other things that construct into the formation of my construction. I have a right to D.C., I have a right to housing. I have a right. I have a right.
Tyrone Chisholm is a volunteer who writes this series to show what opportunities exist for people experiencing homelessness and answer questions about the challenges he has faced, homeless, employed and enrolled in higher education in our nation’s capital. He is also willing to answer questions, which may be sent to [email protected]
