AUSTIN ADVOCATE

Let Them Eat Junk
By Dan Newth

Most homeless people are grateful for any food received. Many support organizations appreciate and show gratitude for all food donations. The food donated, however, is often what other folks don’t want to eat. As a result, the quality of food in most soup kitchens is abysmal. Limited to whatever food is donated, the meals served are often high in fats, sugar, and sodium. Vegetables served are often expired canned goods or beginning to rot. People have become physically ill from eating food well past the expiration date. The attitude presented to the needy is “beggars can’t be choosers,” but a poor diet for the homeless can contribute to increased medical costs for everyone.

Ken Hughes is dealing with health issues that have destroyed his finances. He is now forced to eat at soup kitchens to survive. This statement comes from Mr. Hughes personal experience: “Because of bacterial contamination, I have become sick five or six times from eating at a certain soup kitchen. I know of several other people who have become sick after eating there also. I don’t eat there any more.” Mr. Hughes goes on to praise another group that feeds the needy: “Picnic in The Park serves fresh salads and homemade casseroles, and they handle the food in a sanitary manner.”

The saying that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies when you consider the cost of a healthy diet vs. that of emergency room visits. Hospitals have no choice but to pass the expense on to the customers who can afford to pay. According to Barbara Glidewell, Oregon Health and Science University Patient Advocate and Ombudsman, “Individuals who endure homelessness for lengthy periods of time are at risk for nutritional deficits which may severely impact their health.” For example, diabetes, an increasingly common disease that requires careful maintenance of blood sugar levels, can become more severe or even fatal because of a poorly managed diet. Adds Glidewell, “Many homeless do not have health-care insurance, and thus often use hospital emergency rooms for care that would otherwise be provided in primary care clinics.”

One solution is to donate foods with health in mind. Ken Lane, program manager of FISH Emergency Services, explains, “People donate in one of three manners: Some donors dump food on us, usually items they don’t want and we can’t use. Another person may see something on sale, buy a lot of it, and then donate it. Then there are people who show true concern by calling to ask what is needed, then go to the effort of acquiring those foodstuffs and donating what is needed most.”

“Although our community soup kitchens gratefully accept food donations from various food purveyors and restaurants in the community,” explains Glidewell, “it is well known that much of the food donations contain high fat or sugar content. While this provides needed energy, especially for enduring the hardships of living outside, over time, the homeless person who consistently eats at the soup kitchens may experience digestion problems, kidney dysfunction, and significant dental or gum problems. Eating a balanced diet may be one of the more difficult obstacles to maintaining health when food is scarce. If food purveyors, restaurants, grocery outlets, and green grocers were able to donate whole grain items, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as meats not high in fat content, the cumulative effect could bring less medical problems to homeless individuals requiring urgent care.”

According to Sue Woodbury, a registered dietician and director of dining services for Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center, “A healthy diet for individuals coping with illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, or immune system disorders includes fresh vegetables, fruits, and protein items (such as) fish, beans and lean meat. Excessive sugars, salt and fats contribute to problems.”

When looking for the right kinds of food to donate, think first of nutritious foods. The staples requested include: Fresh vegetables and fruits, powdered milk, canned vegetables and fruits, peanut butter, canned meals such as chicken, tuna, soups, stews, and chili. All food donations are welcomed, but these items are particularly desirable.

[Reprinted from the November 2002 issue of Portland’s Street Roots Newspaper.]

top

Myths
By Morgan W. Brown

Among the many negative (as if there are any that are positive) stereotypes that are probably as deeply cynical as they are rooted, as well as doing some of the most prolonged damage, concerning people who are homeless (or any other perceived or actual group or class of people for that matter) are those portraying them as generally lacking an articulate voice of their own.

Broad and sweeping generalizations as these provide convenient rationalizations and excuses as why to not then expect or allow people who are homeless to speak intelligently and powerfully on their own behalf.

The resulting mindset dictates that people who are homeless most certainly are not able to advocate and take the lead either on their own or on their peers behalf. In fact it is frightening how many people living homeless there are whom too often and so easily believe this about themselves as well.

When people who are homeless speak up for themselves or for their peers and what they need, they can find themselves being quickly slapped down or simply blown off in various ways time and time again.

Sometimes when people who are homeless speak out, they can find themselves being treated, regarded and portrayed as either the one and only, the hero or the overcomer type(s): as if what they are doing is not the norm and therefore unique or, is an amazing, heroic, accomplishment “for someone who is homeless” or, as if they are someone to be pitied, patted on the head and, at best, maybe given a star to wear on their forehead for accomplishing (or even attempting) something either more or better than was ever expected.

If someone persists in speaking up however, they are often ignored, belittled, punished, scorned, told they are being inappropriate or said to be outspoken.

This in a nation prizing self-determination. Ironically, it seems that when either an individual or a group of people become or just want to remain selfdetermining, they are somehow expected to do it completely on their own, even against the most impossible of odds (e.g., in isolation).

Though not intended as such, if the tone or manner of the above comes across as being offensive, etc.: imagine how it comes across to people living homeless when they are treated like this, or even worse, in one form or another on an ongoing basis by countless people as well as a society, which would never stand for being treated in these ways themselves.

Morgan W. Brown is a writer and activist living homeless in Montpelier, Vermont. Morgan has recently joined The Homeless Guy http://thehomelessguy.blogspot.com blog (i.e., blog or Web Log; a blog is an online journal or diary). You can also visit his own blog: Norsehorse’s Home Turf http://nht.blogspot.com by morgan w. brown

top

I’m Under Attack
By Danny “Doc” Barrow

On a hot summer’s day, Myself and a fellow vendor (my best friend Tom), got off tha #27 headin’ ta his place to shoot a few games of darts and ta git outta tha heat (high 90’s). Tom’s a 54 year old disabled Vietnam Veteran. Anyway, I had my bike with me, so I tell Tom “Hey I need ta stop at the store ta git a pack of cigarettes and a refill of Dr. Pepper. I’ll meet ya at your apartment.” Tom said “O.K. Doc, I’ll see you in a bit.”

So I hopped onta “Diamondback” and peddled to tha store. When I git to tha store, there’s a group of three young hispanic males and one hispanic female who’s pregnant, millin’ ‘bout tha front. Tha tall one (‘bout 6’2") says ta me “Hey homeboy, gimme a cigarette.” I tell him that I don’t have any and then went inta tha store.

Now, while I’m in tha establishment...Ha! Gotcha!! Thought I was gonna say store again, didn’t ya? Anywho, I noticed that tha little band of wannabe gangbangers are checkin’ out my bike, shield and me. As I’m comin’ outta tha door, tha tall one says to me, “Hey, homeboy...gimme a cigarette, ju gotta full pack.”

First off, none of these children are of legal age so he is not only demandin’ that I jus’ give him a cigarette, but also to break a law. So, with that in mind, I tell him, “No.”

He says, “Come on homeboy. I’ll buy it from ju,” as I notice that he had one nickel and three pennies partly concealed between his left thumb and index finger.

“Hey look, I’m homeless” I responded as I put my shield on my back.

“We’re homeless too homeboy but at least ju have a bike,” said Spiderboy (long skinny arms, legs and very animated).

“Yeah well..I work very hard everyday so that I can afford to buy myself what I need,” I said gettin’ a mite micturated as I hopped onta “Diamondback”.

“Maybe we’ll jus’ take your cigarettes and bike!” said lil’ mister hearts on his boxers (Their pants were all tha way down ta tha mid-thigh area).

And jus’ like tha true imbicile that I must be, I responded, “I’d like to see that,” as I attempted to pedal away.

With the eggin’ on of the others, spiderboy decided it would be a good idea to grab my bikerack and pull hard left. I jumped offa my bike and grabbed tha frame as I was now engaged in a tug-a-war for the ownership of “Diamondback”. (Tha other two boys were now physically involved.)

Well, I eventually won tha tug-a-war. Took me awhile though. I’m not as young as I once was. After I had fully regained possesion of my mode of transport, I leaned it up against a wall as I said, “Oh, now you’ve really done it. Now I’m mad.”

I was walkin’ towards them when it hit me, “They’re jus’ kids Doc.” As I spotted tha payphone on tha wall of the carwash. So, I changed directions and my heart and headed for tha phone.

“Don’t call tha cops homeboy,” they all seemingly chanted in tune with one another includin’ tha pregnant girl who had been silent until then.

I said, “I’m not callin’ tha cops, I’m callin’ an ambulance for tha three of ya’ll, because ya’ll are ‘bout ta git hurt!” I was not includin’ tha girl in this statement.

As I went to dial 911 spiderboy reached in over my left shoulder and disconnected tha call. Tha other two wannabes were tryin’ hard ta git past my “Shield of faith” which was still on my back.

Well ladies and gentlemen, let me tell ya..., it was startin’ ta git a little hairy for yours truly, so while spidey still had his long skinny right arm within tha framework of tha phonebox. I took measures ta defuse tha sitcheation.

With my right hand I shoved hard inta spiderboy’s right elbow and at tha same time my left elbow was headin’ for tha youngsters jaw. Smack! Right on target. On tha follow-thru, tha top left of my shield caught him on tha right ear. At that point tha two smaller boys took off runnin’ with tha girl not far behind. Spiderboy backed away long enough for me ta redial.

Ring Ring.

“Hello 911.”

“Hello. I’m under attack. I’m located at...”

“Please slow down sir. You say you have been attacked?”

“No, I’m under attack,’ and at this point spidey picked up a rock and threw it at me narrowly missin’ my chest as it zipped past. He then ran between tha carwash stalls and disappeared.

“Hello. Hello sir?”

“Yeah...I’m back...I’m at tha carwash located at Tinnen Ford and Elmont.”

“I’m going to need an address sir.”

“Jesus lady, they are gettin’ away.”

“Sir are you hurt?”

“No I’m fine but my bike...”

“Sir I need an address.”

“Wait a minute,” I said as I looked for an address. “O.K. I’m back. The address is —— Tinnin Ford.”

“Your name sir?”

“Danny Barrow.”

“What is the nature of your complaint?”

“I was attacked by three lil’ hoodlums that were tryin’ ta steal my bike. I’d appreciate you sendin’ a police officer ‘cuz they are still in tha area.”

“Are you hurt sir?”

“No, like I jus’ tol’ ya, but there is damage to my bike.”

“How can the officer identify you?”

“I’ll be standin’ here next ta tha payphone with a blue bicycle and a sign that says “Visions of everyone reading our Austin Homeless Advocate.”

Big mistake, now tha dispatcher knows I’m homeless. Jus’ got myself put on a low priority list.

“O.K. I have an officer on his way.”

Well, shortly after I hung up tha phone a couple came by and tol’ me that they (the wannabes) were across tha street at an apartment complex tryin’ ta fix their car. I looked and sure enough there they were frantically workin’ on a lowrider.

Tic-toc went tha clock and 20 minutes later a police officer shows up. He was across tha street on Elmont so I started wavin’ my arms ta git his attention. He pulled in ta tha parkin’ lot and rolled down tha passenger side window. “Yeah... Whats the problem?” said tha bewildered policeman.

“I jus’ made a 911 call. I was attacked by those people right over yonder,” I said as I pointed at tha perps.

“Where?” he said.

“Right there. Those kids tryin’ ta start that lowrider,” said I.

The officer looked at them, looked back at me and said, “I’m on traffic duty.” “I’ll get someone here for you,” he continued as he very rapidly typed somthin’ inta his onboard computer. I remember thinkin’ ta myself at tha time, “Sure could use him at tha office. Might even give “Lady Lightnin’” a run for tha money.” Naw, jus’ kiddin’ with ya Brenda. You see, Brenda (office manager) types up mos’ my stories since I usually turn ‘em in handwritten.

Anyway, it took 45 min. for another unit to get there. By this time, tha youngsters were long gone havin’ peeled-out of tha apartment complex tha moment they got tha lowrider started. So after givin’ a detailed report ta tha officer, he drove over ta tha complex ta do his thing and I went over ta my friend Toms apartment ta play darts and git outta tha heat as originally planned.

Well, by tha time I got there, an hour and a half had passed. Tom opened tha door and said, “What took ya so long Doc?”

I tol’ him, “Had a lil’ trouble at tha store.”

“I was getting’ worried. I was jus’ ‘bout ta call tha hospital!”

Anyway, I tol’ Tom ‘bout what happened and we played a coupla games of darts which he won. Then headed upta tha bus stop ta catch tha #27.

On tha ride back to my home in tha woods, I reflected upon tha happenstance of tha day. Got ta thinkin’ (yeah, I do that sometimes) ‘bout how proud I was of myself for not jus’ beatin’ tha tar outta those youngsters. A few years back I probably would have. I kinda like this new me. Anyway, thanx for carin’ enough ta buy this newspaper.

See ya next issue. Vaya con Dios. Go with God.

Danny “Doc” Barrow is a long time
Advocate vendor and storyteller.

top

Stabilizing America's work force with a living wage
By Richard Troxell

It is time to end homelessness and stabilize the base of America’s work force. The problem of Homelessness can be broken down into three major categories: affordable housing, health care, and livable incomes. Part of the livable income picture includes 42% of America’s homeless population that the federal government says is working. The problem is that the federal minimum wage is $5.15 per hour.

According to the last several U.S. Conference of Mayors’ reports, $5.15 per hour or $9,880 per year is an insufficient wage for anyone to get and keep housing throughout the United States. While some employers are paying $6.00, $7.00 or even $8.00 per hour, the wage is still not enough to get or keep most folks in housing.

Senator Ted Kennedy has a bill to raise the federal minimum wage by $1.50 over the next two years. The problem is that the day that bill gets passed, not one minimum wage worker can then work themselves off the streets in the very city where it is passed.

Others wonder about the approach of paying a flat national minimum wage of say $10.00 per hour. Again, that would not afford any minimum wage worker an efficiency apartment in cities such as Washington D.C. , Santa Cruz, California or even Austin, Texas. At the same time, that flat wage would swamp small businesses all across America in cities like Biloxi, Mississippi or Harlingen, Texas. In fact, this is Congress’s biggest problem; one wage size no longer fits all.

It is recognized that the single most expensive item in everyone’s budget is housing. In response, we’ve devised a single national formula that is indexed to the local cost of housing across the U.S. The Universal Living Wage Formula (ULW) ensures that anyone working a 40 hour week will be able to afford basic rental housing throughout the U.S. Using a single formula, each city and Fair Market Rent (FMR) designated area, has a wage relative to the local cost of living based on housing.

The formula is based on existing government guidelines:

- spend no more than 30% of income on housing,
- HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR),
- a 40 hour week.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under its Section 8 housing rental program, annually determines what a person can reasonably expect to spend on rental housing across the U.S. for an efficiency, one, two, three, and four bedroom apartment. These amounts are referred to as Fair Market Rents. The Federal Minimum Wage was never inteded to be the panacea for all wage ills. Rather, the minumun wage is intended to provide a basic living wage floor for single wage earners. However, social engineers searching for a totally comprehensive wage answer have created what is refered to as the Self-Sufficiency Standard (SSS). The SSS takes into account all basic living costs and painstakingly considers a plethora of ancillary costs while recognizing that they inflate at various rates. The ULW also takes into account these other costs as 2/3 of the total wage is used to meet the remaining buget. Coincidentally, when factored out, the Universal Living Wage figures fairly mirror those of the SSS. However, the ULW identifies a vehicle (the federal minumum wage) for actually reaching this economic goal.

Over the past five years, due to the Herculean efforts of local initiatives, the concept of a “living wage” has swept America. However, even with 90 local campaigns, less than 100,000 workers are represented. Between monied opposition and unorganized rural America, this won’t bring wage equity to all 11.8 million minimum wage workers for about 3000 years. In the 1930’s, the Unions answered this question by creating the Federal Minimum Wage . Our goal today is to fix it... to everyone’s benefit. The Universal Living Wage Formula is based on the moral premise that anyone working 40 hours should be able to afford basic rental housing. To this end, we have launched a national campaign that has garnered wide spread support across the United States. 595 organizations have endorsed. The campaign has captured the imagination of unions (i.e. the Communication Workers of America International boasting 650,000 members), religious organizations and businesses alike.

Enactment of the Universal Living Wage will create a true Economic Stimulus Package. The local construction industry all across America will respond to the need of millions of minimum wage workers’ new ability to rent non-existing efficiency apartments. “If we build it, they will come.”

Based on government statistics, it is estimated that, with implementation; over one million homeless people will be able to work themselves off the streets of America while offering businesses stable workers. . . thus avoiding costly turnover and repetitive retraining costs. Finally, the plan will prevent economic based homelessness for all 11.8 million minimum wage workers. That’s true Homeland Security.

top

"Don't Be a Fair Weather Homeless Person"
(A response to an article in the 2002 Anniversary Issue by Billy Menz)

Where are WE (the volunteers) the rest of the year? That’s quite a question coming from someone whose whereabouts I don’t know all year round. However, despite that lack of knowledge, I don’t assume you are not homeless, or that you are not engaging in activities that put you in that category. But before I go any further in my response to the above question, first let me get some things out of the way to prove my point. I’m not going to toot my own horn and rattle off all the volunteer activities I do, nor am I going to go into detail about all the money I donate each year. But I just did toot my horn, didn’t I?

Because of the need for volunteers, donations, etc., I have the opportunity to help. But I cannot hide what I do from others. My presence alone is enough to prove that I did something that was not just for me. So what if people what to take a picture of it? So what if people only work for an hour? It’s one hour more than they would have done and one more picture to get the word out. I don’t understand the lack of appreciation. Oh, you mentioned in the very beginning of the article about volunteers being commended for their efforts- but did you really mean it?

It seems to me, the reader of the article, that you are not happy with the current efforts being made to help those like you. But hey - look at the back page of your very own paper. The entire page has listings of agencies and groups that have wonderful people working around the clock to help others. There are thousands of dedicated people who go out and work hard every day! But this is not enough for you?

Coming from someone who says we should stay home if we aren’t dedicated, it sure is surprising to hear you challenging the people to get out more and help. I thought one dedicated volunteer is better than ten “padding their resumes?” But actually - those who are serving themselves are serving you too. Even if their hearts aren’t in the right place, their hands, time, and money are - and heading straight into your life and the lives of those around you.

In a perfect world we would not need non-profit organizations, shelters, free clinics, nor food pantries. Nor would we have people exploiting those in need for their own good. But I say milk them for all it’s worth! If they are going to help let them! If they are going to brag let them! Let the social elite feet hip and trendy when they donate. Let the teenagers talk about volunteering like it’s the homecoming dance. You, on the other hand, need to look at where you stand in the picture.

In this imperfect world, there are many people who need help and they are in that position for various reasons. I’m not going to begin to think I understand what it is to be you or someone else in need, but there you go thinking you know what it is to be me! Your assumptions are insulting, and your efforts seem to be lacking. If you are homeless, are you out there on the street every day or just some days? Are you always aching for a meal or just sometimes? Are you constantly selling papers or sometimes selling none at all? If these few examples are what defines you, which I bet not, then you would not always be homeless, now would you? You, my friend, are a fair weather homeless person in my eyes because you are not all these things 24/7. You try to change, or maybe you do not. But I am sure that every day is not the same for you. How should I know? I only do what I can to make myself happy, and it changes all the time, just as I’m sure it does for you.

All of this sounds silly to you, doesn’t it? A stranger claiming that you are a fair weather homeless person! It makes no sense! Bet you are thinking, “I am always homeless!” Just like I am a thinking, “I am always a volunteer!” And I am always a woman, a sister, a friend, a worker, a lover, a shopper, an athlete, etc. Just as being homeless is not the only thing you are, a volunteer is not the only thing I am. But we are defined by these roles in life even if we cannot dedicate 100% of our time to being these things. So what is the point of my letter? The point is that I ask you not to judge what makes me a true volunteer, or a true woman, or whatever, and I will return the favor and not judge what makes you a homeless person, a man, or a writer.

Sincerely,
Candice Albright
A Volunteer (among other things)

Dear Candice,

Your response to my article is both justified and intelligent. I think it should be noted that I am housed and was not writing this article from the perspective of a homeless person but rather a fellow volunteer.

You are correct when you say that people should be commended for any work they do. My whole point was to challenge individuals to do more. Next time I will make that more clear. Thank you for your response. It’s always good to hear from our readers.

Billy Menz

top

Universal Human Rights
By Tumen Soliz

If you knew back then what you know now, would you do things differently. What if what we know now could be infused into our brain when we were thirteen? What if we were ten thousand years old?

If the human concept of god allows for the existence of the devil, then god is in the image of man, and we need hell. The underworld exists only because we are afraid of the unknown. We are afraid of invisible energy. We are afraid to admit we have that same energy within us. We are afraid to be one with all there is. Afraid of losing our individuality. Fear of offending established beliefs prevents true peace from taking hold. We must become one with all the positive energies and allow negative energies to be unforeseen natural disasters. We must not pander to god and the devil.

What if the gods discovered compassion for the souls in hell? What if the branches of the giant ceiba tree no longer supported the gods? What if trunk of the ceiba no longer supported its limbs and branches? What if the trunk received no blood from the underworld? What if the biblical tree of knowledge provided good nutrition for all life?

Guaranteeing basic human rights will redirect aggression for material success into living compatibly with all peoples. Universal health care, affordable housing, dignified work, investing our taxes only into necessary function industry will happen by eliminating negative traditions. Well adjusted citizens will not need to prey on one another. Hell will be reserved for crimes of passion.

True “god spirit” will not demand great deeds of devotion, but simple peaceful interaction among all people. No longer will it be necessary to accumulate great wealth in order to experience healthy, well adjusted lifestyles.

top

Homeless Children Laugh and Play
Homeless Children Run Away
Will You Help Us Now To Pray

Homeless Children Have Not Eaten
Homeless Children Cold and Dungy
Will You Help Us Feed The Hungry

Homeless Children Bleeding & Hurting
Homeless Children With Rags & Bands.
Will You Help Us With Healing Hands

We Are Called To Love Our Neighbor
We Are Called To Serve The Homeless
Let Us Pray God Move Us

Ricardo Avila, Sr.*

*I wanted to write something that would encourage people to help serve the needs of the homeless population in Austin. I frequently buy the Austin Advocate from one of your vendors and enjoy reading it.

top

...And FUBU to you too!

I want to be a walking billboard
Wearing clothes I can ill afford
I want to shill for Ralph Lauren
Armani, Klein, and Donna Karan

A neon lit strutting ad
Showing off the latest fad
I want to advertise for free
The corporations that laugh at me

Tommy Hilfiger is my idol
Prince of fashion can be my title
Swathed in garments sweatshop made
Marching in the fashion parade

Dan Kennedy

Reprinted from the August/September issue of What’s Up, Boston.

top