The Aristocratic Monkeys

An illustration juxtaposing one monkey inside, watching TV and drinking soda next to another monkey cooking outside next to a blanket and looking sad.

Barbara Pollard

They thought they were superior, because of their wealth. That’s why they chose to live far away from everyone else, in gated communities. They were sympathetic to the homeless.

But then there was a fire. Everything burned to the ground. And many of them had to live in shelters — using open showers and open restrooms. They had to escape from the fires and left all their belongings in the process. They had no ID, no money — and didn’t know how to survive in a shelter, let alone on a park bench, which is where some of them ended up because they couldn’t get a bed at the shelter.

They realized their survival skills were inferior and started appreciating people who can survive under crucial circumstances. It’s not easy.

They were no longer sympathetic to the homeless, but empathetic — because they saw themselves: scared and reluctant — sleeping with one eye open. They learned humility. You have to listen real close and feel what’s going on around you. It’s a completely different reality.


Issues |Living Unsheltered|Shelters

information about New Signature, a Washington DC tech solutions and consulting firm

Advertisement

email updates

We believe ending homelessness begins with listening to the stories of those who have experienced it.

Subscribe

RELATED CONTENT