The down and out

“I remember the first time I saw someone lying on the cold street,
I thought, I can’t walk past here, this can’t just be true.
But I learned by example to just keep moving my feet,
it’s amazing the things that we all learn to do.”
-from Ani DiFranco’s song “Subdivision.”

Beggars are common here, particularly in larger cities. Homelessness exists too, although it seems less public than in the states. No one pushes shopping carts or sleeps in the public parks. There are small Hoovervilles, but they exist on the periphery and in cracks of the ‘imperial cities’. I also believe less of the population per capita is homeless than in the U.S., perhaps because households are larger and housing is cheaper. However, these unfortunate souls don’t receive any government assistance. There is no help, where there might be a soup kitchen and a shelter stateside.

As an example, as Graham and I were returning late one weekend night to a hotel in Fes two months ago, we saw in front of us in the corner a mother sleeping with her three children, none older than ten. Her youngest, probably less than a year, was sandwiched between her and the others.

Hmm.. in this situation, what do you do? No stores were open to buy them any food. Do you wake her up and give her money? In John Steinbeck’s depression era novel “The Grapes of Wrath,” one hapless character, in response to a lack of government or outside aid, tells his son “the poor take care of themselves.” This is unacceptable and is the injustice that Steinbeck was trying to give voice to.

Later, Steinbeck says “the poor will always be with us.” True, but how does one ease their burden? Like that night when I walked past that young family on the street, we have the answers, but lack the will (..or something) to act.