My concrete jungle adventure – Talking about Homelessness
Hello Earthlings,
As I have mentioned before, I have been on your wonderful and beautiful planet for several years now as a human experience observer for my planet. Most of my work is done by consuming your network of information and consuming a daily intake of news reports, scientific studies, and academic papers that needless to say, can become a tad repetitive. But alas, those are my duties. However, it has been refreshing sharing my weekly blog with people of Earth, but sometimes an alien needs a bit more. Seeing that I am the lone of my kind here at the moment, I occasionally venture out on my own to further explore and sometimes partake in some leisure activities. For me, this is people-watching. Now you can imagine this could be rather difficult for an alien like myself to blend in a crowd in order to quietly sit and watch a kaleidoscope of people walking by. However, you’d be surprised how a simple disguise as a homeless individual makes you simply disappear in the landscape of cement and steel. Not to mention, I did it in one of the most populous cities in North America, New York City.
First off, I could have likely been able to stand there without a costume considering the attention those that walked by paid to their phones. It is truly astounding that with such large numbers, people rarely walked into each other. It makes me believe that humans might finally be locking into their sixth sense. I mean if there’s one good thing that can come out of your overuse of your electronic device, it should be that one.
Regardless, the disguise was worn, and no attention was directed my way, so I was happy to sit and watch thousands of people go by. And the variety was amazing; I haven’t seen a concoction of strange creatures since my six-month journey through the Amazon rainforest. Your habits of dressing in various forms of clothing, countless headrests, and a multitude of other accessories have always been a bit puzzling to me, but this is coming from someone who’s kind dresses in two standard uniforms. From what I have learned from my predecessors, the expression of one’s self is at the highest that it has ever been. Personally, I think it’s very entertaining; for others, it may seem a cry for attention. In my opinion, if it makes an individual happy, I cannot see the harm.
However, as entertaining as passersby were, as the day progressed, my attention was drawn to others sitting nearby who were dressed as I was, but for them, it was not a costume. It was the only clothes they had.
Their faces told stories of hardship and survival, of days and nights spent navigating the unforgiving streets of the city. The experience was eye-opening, and it brought to light the stark reality of the homelessness problem that plagues not only New York City but many urban areas across your planet. As I sat there, I observed and listened, realizing that the issue is far more complex than it appears on the surface.
I have read much about the homelessness problem but I had yet to see it up close. Homelessness is a multifaceted problem influenced by a variety of factors, including economic instability, mental health issues, substance abuse, lack of affordable housing, and systemic inequalities. In New York City alone, tens of thousands of people experience homelessness each night, and this number has been steadily increasing over the years. While some are temporarily without shelter due to unforeseen circumstances, many face chronic homelessness, cycling through shelters, hospitals, and the streets.
Contrary to popular belief, I have seen first hand that the homeless population is incredibly diverse, encompassing individuals of different ages, genders, and backgrounds, including families with children, veterans, young adults, and the elderly. This diversity indicates that homelessness can affect anyone, regardless of their previous socioeconomic status. A significant number of homeless individuals suffer from untreated mental health issues and addiction, exacerbating their inability to secure stable housing or employment due to the lack of accessible mental health care and addiction treatment services. The high cost of living, especially in major cities like New York, coupled with low wages, job insecurity, and the widening gap between rich and poor, makes it difficult for many to afford housing, leaving them only a paycheck or medical emergency away from losing their homes. Additionally, the homeless are often stigmatized and marginalized, leading to a lack of social support, which further isolates them and hinders their ability to reintegrate into society and access the resources they need to improve their situation.
Addressing homelessness is not an easy task; it requires a willingness from the government, businesses, the general public, and those afflicted by the problem, a willingness that is not always present. Many solutions have been proposed and implemented, such as increasing the availability of affordable housing, incentivizing developers to build low-cost housing, and implementing rent control measures. Expanding access to mental health care and addiction treatment via mobile clinics, integrated health services, and increased funding for mental health programs can also help address root causes of homelessness. Yet the problem seems worse than ever. I’ve seen videos of politicians and activists encouraging community involvement, wanting to reduce the stigma associated with homelessness; community outreach and education campaigns with the goal of fostering a more inclusive society and bridging the gap between housed and unhoused populations. But there I was, an actual being from another planet, sitting on the streets of New York, and not one person took notice.
My day disguised as a homeless individual was more than just an exercise in observation; it was a profound lesson in empathy and understanding. The people I saw and the stories I overheard made me think that homelessness is not a choice but a circumstance that can happen to anyone. Addressing this issue requires compassion, innovation, and a willingness to tackle systemic problems head-on. However what I also witnessed was a majority of the individuals just not caring, seeing them as “not there problem”, regardless of whether that is true or not, it will not bring a resolution to the problem.
As an observer from another planet, I constantly see immense potential in the human spirit to overcome challenges. With the right strategies and a collective effort, I believe you can create a world where everyone has a place to call home. Until next time, Earthlings, I will continue to watch, learn, and share my observations, hoping to contribute to a brighter future for all.
Your friend,
P.a.L.
