Just a note to wish “Happy Birthday” to the Victoria BC publication, Victoria Street Newz, which is produced independently and sold by low-income individuals on street corners in the city. Saw this blog post about the celebration of Street Newz’ 7th year with a meet-and-greet, music, and vegan cake at the beloved Solstice Cafe, a queer-friendly venue near Chinatown and the waterfront in downtown Victoria.
I’ve always appreciated this low-budget newspaper, both for its independent content, expressing the views of caring individuals who are often marginalized in society, and for the fact that it helps to generate revenue for those who sell it. I always tried to pick up a copy of the paper when I lived in Victoria. If you live there, please do support the newspaper. If you’re not able to pick it up from one of the downtown vendors, you can also buy a subscription.
I was pleased to find that Street Newz publishes on-line archives of the paper, as well, and just now was completely absorbed by the latest issue of the paper. In time for International Workers’ Day, May 1, the newspaper features thoughtful analysis of work – paid and unpaid – and the story of one person’s quick slide into homelessness. The story is credible and human and it is a must-read, as it challenges the stereotypes that most people carry around regarding homeless persons. This was a hard worker, an entrepreneur, with a middle-class Christian upbringing, whose life was shattered when a car accident caused severe injury and disability to his son. Trying to care for his son, his work slipped away, and it took over seven years for the privatized “provincial” automobile insurance company to pay out any compensation. During that time the father was forced into poverty and eventually, homelessness.
I have never given credence to those tired and terrible accusations against the homeless, that they are lazy or good-for-nothing, and have always felt strongly that circumstances could turn any one of us homeless. Anyone who doesn’t have two months of rent saved up could become homeless within one month, if laid off or otherwise unable to find work. Especially in a city like Victoria, where rents are atrociously high, and salaries do not reflect the cost of living. In the last few years living in Victoria, we were certainly dancing to avoid homelessness ourselves. It doesn’t take much – just one swing of bad luck – and then how do you climb back out of the gutter when the whole world is against you? This story in Street Newz has a happy ending, but many don’t.
So take a moment to reflect, before throwing accusations at the poor and homeless. After all, what sort of people are we that we allow others to live in misery and insecurity and persecution? The very condition of homelessness is caused by capitalist accumulation of wealth. And when some have it, others don’t. To quote Utah Phillips – “It’s all wrong. And it all has to change. And the change has to start – with me.“
Happy Birthday, Street Newz, and many more years and successes to you!! And cheers to all the vendors, the writers, and supporters, and especially to Janine Bandcroft, the tireless force behind the paper and an engaged and thoughtful community activist.
When i lived in San Francisco, I hate to admit that I became pretty callous towards many of the homeless there. Although, San Francisco is a little unique in that many younger people purposely come to live on the streets of San Francisco. Not all of them, though, chose that lifestyle.
I did always say hello and chat with a few of the men that I regularly passed going to and from work though. That was nice.
SF also has a similar newspaper that is sold on the streets in the same manner, but I never did pick up a copy. I always saw copies thrown away or left on the floor of the buses.
Great post! W must all remember to spread our compassion to all living beings….homeless people and helpless animals all the same.
I think the fact that you would actually spend time to talk to them is definitely a good thing. People need to feel valued as much as they need spare change – or even more so. Most passers-by on the street don’t even want to talk to homeless people, or acknowledge them in any way. I’ve heard many a life story just because I’ve stopped to listen. Sometimes a person sits next to you on a bus, or on a park bench, and all they need is to pour their heart out to someone who doesn’t judge them. I’m often that someone.
I admit that I was still choosy in Victoria; I didn’t give change to everyone I saw asking for it, but often chose to give to the older, sadder looking people, because I thought they needed it more.
There’s some young Christian folk in America who are voluntarily living lives of poverty and homelessness, in solidarity with the poor. They minister to those in poverty and live life along with them. These folks I admire a hell of a lot more than the televangelists with their rich suits, slick productions, and constant calls for exorbitant ‘donations’ from their viewers. They are so unlike Jesus. They take from the poor and keep it for themselves. They never, ever do anything concrete to help those who are suffering. Anyways all that to say – I’m in solidarity with those young Christians, though I may not agree with their religious views.