It’s one of those things our elders taught us—you shouldn’t put others down to try to boost yourself up. What better example of that is there than the drug dealer? Here’s a man passed out, face-planted onto his own shoe, five feet from a mass of dried feces, at 10:30 a.m. on a Friday, chilling […]
Drug dealers should be shot Read More »
No matter the venue, no matter the group, regardless of their level of ignorance or expertise, the ideas, theories, and misconceptions seem to be universal. Photo by Eric M.V.“They choose to live on the street.”“It’s a mental health issue.”“They need a big park outside of town with trash pick-up and toilets.”“We need more affordable housing
Maybe it’s too dangerous for journalists Read More »
May is National Foster Care Month, a time to raise awareness about the needs of foster care children and youth and recognize the people who support them. This month is an opportunity to learn about the foster care system, advocate for improvements, and get involved in supporting foster children and families. Why not highlight a
I’m sorry about this post, everyone. There were no entries sent in this week to share, and I’ve suffered a back injury that prohibits me from sitting in my comfy office chair for more than a few minutes. Still, I wanted to do what I can while I can because that’s all we can ever
What we can, while we can Read More »
Why do people do what they do? Today was Easter, and somebody asked me if I believed in the living Christ who died on the cross for our sins. There are a lot of evangelicals out collecting souls. The question is simple enough, but the answer is pretty complex when you think about it. I
Something to die for Read More »
Let’s just break it down to the simplest parts. It starts with identifying the immediate needs of the people. We need to recognize that getting out of the tunnel is not going to happen if the person is not sober. If they need alcohol/drug dependency treatment, then that’s where we start. That treatment includes detox
We’re overthinking it. Read More »
There was a time, not so long ago, when this would have been alarming. I submit that this should not be considered a “new norm.” It should be considered, now, as it has always been: abnormal. The truth is, the “normalcy” of this scene is just a term we give to things we previously didn’t
It happens all too often. Just when things start looking up, they disappear. Non-Raiderfan John was thrilled to have a shiny new ID card in his hand, and the next step was updating his insurance to apply for “food stamps” before the trial to have his disability reinstated. The paperwork arrived. I went to his
It was more than I’d bargained for. A quick walk turned into a hike, and a lonely stroll turned into a tour of one man’s art gallery, followed by a bizarre labyrinth of graffiti and concrete ruins.I’d noticed a dirt road leading off to the west behind a church and into the desert. Just a
A brush with genius Read More »
I managed to find Non-Raiderfan John on my first trip out since the embolisms. I had a rough idea of where he spent his nights and with the help of a few alley-dwellers nearby, I walked right into his “front yard.” He was happy to see me for two reasons: first, I came back—most people
Non-Raiderfan John interview Read More »