Oh, so you are mad because you found folks smoking crack in your backyard?
Just the other day, a homeless Alaska Native great-grandmother looked me right in the eye and said, “MoHagani, they harass me the same way they harass you.” Pointing fingers, laughing and ridicule are all humiliating tactics that hurt, crush and dehumanize our spirits. Compassion for people who are grappling with public shaming, alcoholism, substance abuse and mental illness is another level of humanity we can attain in our city.
Life is hard enough as it is; the last thing any of us need is someone putting us down and telling us, “Go back to your village.” For people at Camp Here: Occupy to Overcome Homelessness, there is nothing succulent about the crappy sandwiches they are being served by the Anchorage municipality’s malicious abatement policies.
Real talk: There are plenty of people with homes who are alcoholics, substance abusers and have mental health issues too; they are just privileged with shelter to privatize their vices and hide their shame. So next time instead of anger, please consider kindness and respect to help circumvent dumpster-diving in your backyard.
— M.C. MoHagani Magnetek
Anchorage
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