Un-homed but Not Unhinged: Homeless Are People, Too

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Sitting here on Valentines reflecting on how we do or don鈥檛 hold people in our hearts. Easy to hold the ones we value close to us, but not so easy for those we marginalize. So here are some simple moments I鈥檝e observed lately to remind me that even un-homed people are living their lives.

  1. The guy who usually sits on the corner eating his raisin bran or instant ramen for breakfast: I saw him walking out of Safeway with a shopping cart like any other person stocking up.
  2. One of the van dwellers that parks by the Natatorium: I see him reading the paper each morning in the same posture each time- relaxed yet focused.
  3. Two of the regular shower users giving cheerful hellos, happy to see other like old friends who haven鈥檛 seen each other in a while.
  4. A young guy in the park carefully packing up his sleeping bag one morning: just getting his day started with the rest of the park users and dwellers.

They鈥檙e just a few small moments. But these moments carry importance in our lives and our hearts. Why wouldn鈥檛 it carry importance in theirs as well? I don鈥檛 know if any of them have someone to wish them Happy Valentines or not, but I hope so. Even marginalized people need the love.

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About the Author

  • Joe Bright
    Joe Bright
    Joe Bright is a graduate of Iolani School and went on to study art at The Cooper Union School of Art in New York City, and later Chinese medicine at The American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco. Joe currently runs a small acupuncture clinic, Kama鈥檃ina Acupuncture in Kapahulu as the first dedicated low-cost 鈥渃ommunity acupuncture鈥 clinic in Honolulu. Joe has a varied background that has included working as a bicycle mechanic, freelance artist, teaching calligraphy and Tai Chi, a nanny, and even a CEO of a small entrepreneurial company. He continues to create art, even having work recently appear at the Honolulu Academy of Arts as well the Bishop Museum. He also continues with entrepreneurial projects when possible and serves on the Board of Directors for a local Buddhist meditation organization, Vipassana Hawai鈥檌.
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