By Jim Hubbard
The guest commentary by John Maceri (Oct., 2002) was an illuminating and helpful insight into the decades old struggle of people who sincerely work to help homeless human beings. He should always remember the adage that “no good deed shall go unpunished” when he contemplates complaints and criticism from all-knowing people like Jennafer Yellowhorse. Ms. Yellowhorse, I assume, is an advocate for the homeless and her posture maybe much like an advocate I came to know quite well in Washington, D.C., in the early 1980s. Mitch Snyder became the most visible and outspoken homeless advocate the issue has ever known. While I admired much of the work of Mitch, he made it abundantly clear that any efforts on his part to help the homeless would be done his way and only his way. His attitude toward most other people attempting to help the homeless was condescending and always critical. He always postured himself as the all-knowing one.
Therefore, not many people could work in any meaningful way to explore ways in which to help the homeless but to also end the problem. Be assured that he played an important role during the early days of the plague that came to be known as homelessness. However, Mitch’s approach reminds me of the fact that there are always people around an issue like homelessness who believe they are ordained with the unique ability to work with and resolve the complexities of the homeless. Rather than attempting to undermine others who spend their time trying to help our nation’s untouchables, these critics should join in a common effort requiring every possible resource and person willing to help. John seems like a knowledgeable and compassionate person who Ms. Yellowhorse may learn something from.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 5, 2002. Read the original PDF.