When the Homeless Inspire Others

by Becky Blanton · 2010-10-19 10:17:00 UTC
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David Muniz is a homeless man in Colorado. Not so long ago he made the front page of the local Greeley Tribune because he was pushing his grocery cart and all his worldly belongings over a mountain — several mountains really — on his way to a job at Walmart in Steamboat Springs. He was also unintentionally raising awareness of homelessness. And guess what?People chipped in to buy him food, help him set up camp and supply firewood. People felt inspired by him, not sorry for him.

Another homeless man, Kevin Clarke, ran for mayor in Toronto — and had more police charges leveled against him than when he was actually a criminal. He wanted to make a statement and he did.

In Richmond, Virginia, a couple dozen homeless men and women ran a 10K last spring and are all now training for their first marathon. Hundreds of people stepped up to pay for shoes, to donate clothing and to provide food and opportunities for them.

A New York City high schooler named Rosa Bracero didn't let being evicted on the day she was supposed to take her high school graduation tests deter her from pursing a career anyway. She aced her entrance exam into Lincoln Technical College, but couldn't get in without the high school degree. People rallied around her and the city quickly backtracked, giving her the diploma.

I could list dozens, even hundreds, of examples of homeless people who don't let being homeless stop them from going after what they want. They kick the victim mentality to the curb. And guess what? People step in to help. They may not step in right away, or in the exact way we want, but trust my experience, when you work hard enough and long enough someone will notice.

As a society we like to root for the underdog. As shown by the overwhelming response to the recent viral video in which a man who appears to be homeless lip syncs with Kermit the Frog puppets, people respond to those who they feel are working their way out of their bad situation any way they can.

No, not everyone can bootstrap their way out of homelessness. Not everyone has friends or family, or good health, or caring outreach workers. But everyone can set small goals and work towards them. David Muniz chose to put one foot in front of another until he climbed a mountain. What can you do?

Photo credit: Eric Schmuttenmaer

Becky Blanton has 22 years of experience as a journalist and photojournalist. She spoke at TEDGlobal 2009 in Oxford, England about being one of the "working homeless."
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