Urban Decay

Seeing the ranting homeless man really got me thinking about society. We tend to shun the homeless and the crazy, if we ignore them they can't really be there can they?

How can we have supreme wealth and abject poverty in the same city? How is this possible in a first world country? Aren't there societies that take care of homeless people? Soup kitchens? Homeless shelters and so on and so on. Why are we still seeing them on the streets?

The problem is more and more people slide into homelessness every year whether from addictions, a lack of a job, insanity or just plain carelessness and there seems to be nothing we can do about it. The homeless shelters are overflowing and there is only so much homeless organisations can do as most of them are volunteers.

I guess being a city dweller has made me a little jaded because every time I step out of our apartment and walk into the city I get acosted by beggars asking for a dollar. I know they don't really need it for the train fare or the burger they want to buy so I refuse to give them anything. They'll just use the money to score their next hit. I know this because I have offered to go with them and get them some food or the train ticket and all of them turn on me and tell me to f*** off! Now I don't bother so I could actually be dismissing someone who genuinely needs help.

I began to notice some interesting things around me.

Isn't this a great photo? I live in an area of Sydney that is quite hip and trendy but at the same time it's got it's fair share of homeless bums and decaying buidlings. I've always noticed this one and I think this building could be virtually anywhere in the world. It has that shabby, used up old look. I don't quite understand how anyone lives there as I am told the building is in pretty much the same condition on the inside. I gather a lot of "struggling" artists live there as there are always so many arty people hanging out front smoking.

Ok, now am I the only one who finds this next picture odd?

I never really saw it until the other day and then the penny dropped. I have been working in the city for ages and I can't believe I have never seen this incongruous placing before. We have a diamond jeweller right next to a mission centre...am I the only one who sees the irony of this? Wesley Mission for those who don't know are a organisation who provide counselling services, homeless help & care, crisis accommodation, drop in centres, soup kitchens etc etc etc.

It really makes you think about what we have evolved into doesn't it? I for one can't speak as I splurge copious amounts of money on unnecessary luxury items every month. But I am thankful I have a stable job with a very stable company and a roof over my head every night. I don't have to wonder where my next meal is coming from and I can afford to feed my dog who depends on me.

I feel extremely lucky right now.