Note: I was registered to speak at the Events Center meeting held on July 29. I could not make it but this is what I would have said:
Moose Jaw is my home even though I may be homeless.
Blessed and cursed, I am not alone, yet like a ghost, unnoticed.
Dead, for the most part, to the rest of society.
Decidedly, why is helping others so divisive?
No matter where the shelter is placed, we know people won't like it.
Because money does not like being reminded ...”cough cough.”
Excuse me, many do not like to be reminded
That it might get worse, even for those who only view us as a "minus."
In other words: Negatively. Are we burdens or are we people?
Will we be a deterrent to business because money is the root of all happiness, correct?
Yet, when the two intersect it's like a rarity to inspect!
Life is priceless, yes? Unless the price is a slight drop in profits, I guess?
And on this topic let's make some progress and get honest.
I bet that's why they stress the worse while dismissing any positives.
I understand that the probabilities of success are not a given.
But if we truly create our future, let's use this as a step to move forward.
To create a better world where helping others is normal.
When we see those in need and don't shun them or run from them.
Like we were afraid to catch something, atchoo!
Poverty is a societal disease, not being poor.
Distinguish between the battle and the war; the content and the form.
We have no need for this passive-hate!
From my lips to God’s ears (before He abdicates):
Let us close this massive gate of ignorance which time has expired ...
I mean, it's past its date.
Here's where I emancipate this debate and contextualize it historically so we can relate.
For the sake of argument let's equate poverty to race
And look back at what took place when segregation was the case,
In Canada, yeah, when a perverse mindset couldn't be escaped.
What did those for it say? The very same words that I'm hearing today
By those who oppose these shelters, they would say,
I quote, "Integrating them here will not make their lives any better,"
And, "Businesses will be ruined, our community gone forever!"
And, "We would not really mind it if it were done somewhere else,"
And, "It will bring our property values down and who does that help?"
And, "It will bring violence and chaos! Look at how they behave!!!
Let everyone be judged according to their deeds … but these people are all the same!"
Now think about what I just said, think about those quotes ...
Are they from 1950 or from now? Sadly, the answer is both.
Some stated that, "It's a different world now, post-COVID"
Seems like they didn't notice that things only take a turn for the worst when all support closes!
Retro Rainbow and Sweet Treat Candy Company are excellent examples
Of what happens when supports leave, downtown goes to shambles.
Mayor Clive Tolley visited both those places which were safe spaces, a true oasis,
In a landscape of angry faces and hatred because too many believe the unhoused are all wasted
And high as they walk by with their nose turned up high (Hi!)
Let's face it, their basic premise is this:
Building this building will build new problems, so they insist.
But building this building will build up our community.
It will build hope in the hopeless and be a focus point for unity.
Just another way of saying we're better in this together
If we ever want to truly escape this lunacy!
Of cyclical misfortune and misunderstandings which will never be resolved ruthlessly!
What's needed is compassion. What we need is forgiveness.
Not fingers pointed at each other yelling, "You did this!"
What we need is the opposite of fear and have courage when problems do appear.
Here is my solution: We take it day-by-day.
As issues arise we'll work in tandem to make them okay.
No project is ever prefect but I think this one is certainly worth it.
I mean, its sole purpose is to help the needy...
I can't believe we even need this meeting this evening all because of a fear of the unknown ...
It makes me wonder, if I were to ever become unhoused, would Moose Jaw still be my home?
If the answer is "No!" Where would you tell me to go?
To Hell? Well, wouldn't that already be the existence I know?
So people can help or at the very least get out of the way
Of the helpers trying to help those trying to help themselves make it to the next day.
We're at a veritable precipice we're about to fall if we don't get over this.
Don't you know that hope persists while fear makes us jump over cliffs!?!?
Frank Zappa said minds are like parachutes: they only work when open,
So I'm hoping moving ahead we don't get closed in
By those opposing a simple Rule that was said to be Golden.
However, what I'm beholding is not the case.
In case you missed the whole point of this poem, allow me to reiterate:
People are our neighbors even when they do not have a roof to call their own
Therefore let us be good to all our neighbors, regardless, because this City of Moose Jaw is not just a "city," it's home.
George Steven
