I decided to walk this morning to meet friends for breakfast.  We live in the older part of our city, which means it is mixed with owner-occupied ‘fixer-uppers’ and rental property.  As I walked by the houses that were in dis-repair, I noticed myself avoiding eye contact with those just sitting on their porches.  I couldn’t believe it….what was I really avoiding?  What bias do I have for anyone, that I presume to be a certain way.  I know this is conveniently called ‘stereotyping’ but in the sterility of diagnosis we can easily disconnect from personal responsibility.

Luckily this realization happened more quickly than in years past.  Not sure if I’m simply surrendering easier or I am getting wiser. Whatever the reason, I lifted my eyes and began greeting those people in my neighborhood.  With that came my next ‘aha’ moment.

I realized that the people I had just judged were not homeless and yet I had responded to them the same way-judging how and where they lived.  The real difference was that they just didn’t live in the same kind of house that I did.  They obviously were able to pay their bills which meant they were managing an income of some sort.  And yet, I had pre-determined an economic condition based on all sorts of mean things.  I realized all of the biases we have against the homeless we might also have against those who live in ‘lesser than’ others.  Which then made me realize that all of the excuses we come up with to not tend to the  homeless is nonsense…we really just need to find a way to justify it.

Sorry to step on toes, but mine are still hurting so I thought I would just share the experience.   I guess maybe we should talk a bit about being a good neighbor.  What do you think?