A Minnesotan opinador

Writing about current and important things.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

I wish many things did not exist

Today I spent my morning at this reNEW MN event where we as members endorsed three preferred progressive candidates for governor of MN this year.

After quite a long day, I came back to campus. Then Peter Miller, student leader here at Augsburg, invited me to come assist with Campus Kitchens to bring food to a homeless shelter in Downtown Mnpls. I said yes when I could have chosen to go to sleep or really do nothing meaningful (I knew I wasn't going to do homework for the day anymore).

We got on the new beast (older van really was an interesting automobile) and headed to downtown. I had done this shift before, but it had been a while now. I have chosen to do other things with my time. But I did remember how hopeless I felt every time I helped with giving food at the homeless shelter.

So, we got there and unloaded the beast. We got some plates ready for those who came late, so that they would still have something to eat. Peter made sure what we were serving plates that contained all kinds of proteins and the sort, so that meals were actually meals and not just fillers for the night. Then to start serving the food, a door-like window opened, and there again I saw what I saw the last time I was there: human beings laying on mats all across the floor, some standing, waiting for food for the night. It is a sad sight, from my side. I cannot imagine what it is to be on the other side.

Today I went to serve the food donated from our cafeteria and other places. I went only knowing that I was going to be back home by around 9pm. I went there knowing that I was really tired and that I was going to be back to my cozy bed pretty soon. I went there knowing that my roommates and I have not bothered to clean our apartment. I went there knowing where I get the next meals for the week, month even. My privileges are really exposed.

As we were serving the food, we made sure everyone got a good meal, at least a good meal out of what we had to offer. But as we were doing that, I tried to look at the people taking each plate. In a way, I felt that act was degrading. How would I feel if I were on the other side of the window? How would I feel if I were the one taking the place, staying in one of the mats for the night, getting kicked out the next morning?

Trying to glance at the people receiving the food was hard because of the multitasking required. But I did get to see a couple of people. Many of the men there were adults in their +30s, but there was this one person who looked so much like me, so young like me, so full of life, so discouraged by life. His eyes were sad. He did not smile. No one should live like this! [That brought me back to hearing from leaders trying to end homelessness who have said that younger people are very vulnerable in the streets for many reasons, one of them being young.]

Many of the men gave us the thanks for the food and the work. There were some who did not want this or that, but generally everyone gave us a smile. That is rewarding, but at the same time, it made me angry! In a state where we have thousands of foreclosed homes, we have many homeless - how does that make sense?

Really, while at the shelter, it was a sight of desolation, a situation in our society that should make each of us ashamed. It was a reminder that human beings are falling victims of policies that do not value humanity. Basic example is the budget cut Gov. Pawlenty made to the General Assistance Medical Care(GAMC)for really vulnerable Minnesotans, which runs out in April (initially it was ending on March, but after seeing the reaction of thousand of Minnesotans, Pawlenty somehow found funding for the program for one more month. Delaying the issue is not a solution - not now, not ever). He wants GAMC members, to join MN CARE, but that is not a viable solution for many. We must take action against that immoral act by the governor because we can choose to do so.

I wish homeless shelters did not exist because they are only needed because we are inadequate at ensuring everyone a decent life, or having permanent housing. We are not willing to address the systemic issues, often times just because of politics and not because the belief that every human being deserves to live a dignified life. While it is great that programs like Campus Kitchens exist, they are an underliner to the real problems.

At the same time, for example, I wish Admission Possible (AP) did not exist. AP assists low-income students prepare for the ACT and gain access to college. Mind you, I am a beneficiary of this program, but if the education system was just and actually ensuring students naturally went to college, then AP would not be needed. I was dissapointed when President Obama said AP was a great program (it is believe me) and that it should even be in more cities, 50 even! Instead, he should have said that programs like AP should not be needed because he was actually going to address the systemic issues, unlike past politicians, including Bush and Tim Pawlenty (MN has the worst numbers when it comes to students of color and white students, and it has only gotten worse since these two came to power). Now AP is expanding! I am sure it is going to expand where it is needed, where education is lagging at doing its job. AP should be a sign of failure for districts, something that exposes inequality in those cities, inequality that has not been addressed (and that AP is not going to solve - it only accepts a number of students, promising students only).

It is not until we address those underlining issues that we will not need programs like homeless shelters or Admission Possible (we should not need them). These programs are picking up the lagging of such systems. They are generally privately funded, so the public does not say much. But if that money came directly from taxes, probably people would pay more attention. What a shame.

In the mean time, we have the moral responsibility to care for each other - whether that is providing a meal one night or working with students in using their full potential. I just hope this is not a permanent situation - I want homeless shelters gone and Admission Possible as just a great memory because then everyone will have a home and all students having the same opportunities to attending college. But we all have the moral responsibility to act in order to see the change we wish to see in the world. Whether we take that responsibility or not is a question all those of us who have the means to do so is another thing.