The Invisibles

Want to be invisible? Become homeless, disabled, mental, a Vietnam, Korea, Iraq war vet, the wrong color, or just wrong. For now, let's look at the homeless humans, because they include all of the above. Huge subject - little caring. But wait! Oprah cares - she must - she sent her cameras & interviewers to Tent City in Sacramento, Ca. to show her millions and million of viewers just how devastated those poor people are. Look at this: tents, bad clothing, bad hair, bad breath, dirt, no toilets, no cars, and no money. All the things that are so important to Oprah and her beautiful people. This is terrible - what can we do??? Sounds good, beloved Oprah bringing attention to this disgusting problem, now the world will see and do something to help - right? And, the world does see, the whole wold sees and comes down to Sacramento to film and interview these people by the river. Media from Europe, Russia, Japan, Ireland, Sweden, Iran - all come running. Meanwhile, the Governor and the Mayor step down to take a look. Wow! Well, not really a look, because remember these are the Invisibles, but certainly to be seen looking, because if Mayor Kevin Johnson and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are anything, they are the Visibles.

Shaking their heads, surrounded by their people, cameras rolling, wearing warm & sexy clothing, greeting, smiling, looking regal and concerned - they ask What Can We Do? And the loudest answer was Leave Us Alone. What? We can't do that. We're here to help. So they help - next day port-a-potties (2) arrive, following day a huge dumpster, and the following day Sacramento's finest circle the camps, attempting invisibility, and everything changes. Like creeping fog, fear covers the individual sites, the homes they have created, some with little fences and a few flowers/vegetables, some with stoves and beds of a sort. And the drug side of Tent City closes off (yes, there is a drug side
just like any city, but this one keeps to itself, and follows the rules, for the most part). Estimated population: 1000 humans - no children. The hidden sites become more hidden and the weather changes, wind blasting, thunder announcing, hard rain falling.

And, back on my little piece of Maggie's Farm I am teaching my SRJC English classes. One of their assignments is to keep a "Metta" journal for 6 weeks writing about their experience of reaching out as our new President has asked us all to do. Write at least 3 pages,and be as honest as you can. The first journals were grim. With few exceptions they were filled with the angst of self-involved 18-25 year olds having to write about reaching out to the invisibles of our world. WEEK ONE: Why don't they just get a job! No matter what I do they'll just get drunk or buy drugs. I don't believe in helping people, they get used to it and won't work. "They" scare me.

We discussed the first journals in class. Wild times! I informed them that I too was doing the assignment. They were not impressed. WEEK TWO: I helped my cousin move into a new apartment - he's an asshole but I needed something for my Metta journal. WEEK THREE: I gave this old guy a dollar. I've never given "these" people money but it was raining, and my journal was due in the morning. WEEK FOUR: My mom was in the hospital and I visited her. I haven't seen my mom for 5 years. I brought her flowers. WEEK FIVE: I volunteered at the free kitchen. Man, some of "those" people were really young, and some were really old. WEEK SIX: In a dark parking lot this person walked toward me - I was afraid. As he came closer I looked in his face and was shocked - he was about my age and he looked like my friends, like me! He wanted to know if there was a shelter nearby. Yes, I said, yes, and I gave him the directions. He thanked me. I can't believe I knew the directions to a homeless shelter. That's the first time I've looked at one of "their" faces.

WEEK SEVEN: My Turn. I traveled to Tent City and spent two days talking & photographing the invisibles. Interestingly their pictures came out clear as a bell (some are posted on Flicker & Myspace for all to see.

I was immediately welcomed and treated like a guest (which I was) by one of the most gracious women. Her name was Ernestina and she just happened to have gone to school with Mayor Johnson - 5th grade. When he visited this homeland by the river, he greeted her (cameras rolling-no audio). Ernestina, so nice to see you, how are you doing? I'm fine Mayor, just fine. How are you doing? And so it goes. As I was leaving on the second evening Ernestina walked me to my car to get some things I had brought with me - mostly warm stuff, and specifically a new pair of shoes that turned out to be her size. She was wearing sandals at the time. Did I mention the brutal cold, wind, mud and rain? As we walked she asked me about my students - are they afraid of us? Yes, some of them, but they are learning. Are you afraid of us, Jackie? Ernestina, the only thing I'm afraid of right now are those big buildings looming up behind us, and the indignant residents living on this street who have threatened violence to all of you if you don't move on (one of those residents came down to the river with a knife about 6 months ago to confront one of the men. The resident is now in jail, the homeless man is dead.

Presidents, Governors, Mayors, Kings,Queens, Residents, Oprahs, Rehabbers, Shelters, Prisons, etc: The answer is not money, or commissions, or programs, or pity or anything Visible. The answer is understanding that we are all here together - as one.
"One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes." Le Petit Prince

Thanks for listening , Peace, Jax Murphy