The Latest In Out Group

One of the most interesting topics I have heard recently centers on the plight of the homeless. As we Americans know, we are quite involved in protecting the rights of minorities in our country. After all, it's in our genes as immigrants removed by several generations ourselves. My own heritage is Scotch-Irish and goes back to the eighteenth century when my ancestors came over from the Old Country in order to make a better life for themselves in the rural South. As a group we were largely uneducated, but yet hard workers with an optimistic belief that life could be good by applying a diligent work ethic to the tasks ahead.

A review of our Southern history for the past one hundred or so years reveals first the freedom of the slaves, followed by the vote and equal rights for women, followed by civil rights legislation, and followed by laws protecting gays. The new in out group now appears to be those who are homeless since hate crimes against this group have evidently proliferated in recent years.

A recent NPR program discussed this subject in detail. I also attended a political discussion group this past Monday night in which homeless needs of both adults and children were presented. The problem is certainly not a new one (we remember that Jesus spoke about it some two thousand years ago by saying, "For you have the poor with you always" - Matthew 26:11). The emphasis today, I believe, comes from an epiphany many of us have had in the most recent recession. Because the financial and job losses have impacted all classes of society, I believe we are now developing more of a sense that homelessness can possibly be one paycheck away from all of us. My short experience in working with the poor and homeless as a volunteer is that they often defy the stereotypes we have placed upon them in the past, i. e. they are drug addicts, alcoholics, mentally challenged, and so on. Many today are well dressed and embarrassed to be in a position of dire need.

I applaud the idea that the homeless will now be an area for focus in our society. They deserve all the assistance we can provide of our time, our money, and our talents to enable them to move back into mainstream society. In America it's only right.