> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# John Logan Santa Monica Pop star sees beyond the label of homelessness
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/john-logan-santa-monica-pop-star-sees-beyond-the-label-of-homelessness/
- Published: 2003-09-29T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T01:03:43.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Community, Promenade, #archive-import, Homeless, Homelessness

*By Charles Springer*

I was recently fortunate enough to meet someone who is a former member of the British pop band “All Saints.” As Shazney Lewis was eating with her assistant at the restaurant next to Starbuck’s on the Third Street Promenade, I said hello to her and we struck up a conversation. I was honestly amazed at how personable and how down to earth she was. We had a very long conversation about the politics of our two countries, music and other minor topics.

I had explained to her about the homeless situation here in America. She listened and was very interested in my opinions. She was kind of amazed at the fact that I was writing for this newspaper. And, though I will not elaborate on any of the things we talked about, I will say this about her, she is a very intelligent, witty and good natured person.

You might wonder why I am bringing this up. Well it is very simple... this person has made it and yet would still find the time to talk to a homeless person. She was interested in what I had to say and told me it was some of the best conversation she has had since she arrived here. She looked beyond the “label” of homelessness and saw that the human being inside was intelligent and has feelings. And I looked beyond the “label” of pop star and saw a very sweet and caring woman inside.

I am not saying that all people who make it are all uncaring or can’t look beyond the “labels” we all wear at some point in our lives. And I am not saying that I have never “labeled” anyone or a group of people in my life. But, there are a select few who would “label” all homeless as less than human in order to disconnect from the humanity of the situation of homelessness. They would “label” all homeless as dirty, “label” all homeless as lazy, “label” all homeless as mentally ill, “label” all homeless as drug or alcohol dependent, and “label” all homeless as criminals. These few would use “labels” to dehumanize anyone who would get in the way of the power and money they wield. It is very close to the same thing an addict does with people to get and maintain his or her drug of choice.

These are a select few who cannot see beyond the “label” of homelessness because their own “label” of “powerful” or “rich” or “elite” is too much in their eyes, like blinders, not letting them see beyond the “label” to the person underneath. And sooner or later their own “labels” blind them to the point of them their losing their own humanity.

They seem to forget the lessons of the past and how “labels” were used to segregate the blacks in the south. Or the Chinese and Mexicans in the west, the Irish, Germans and Italians in New York and Chicago, and the Native Americans from their very own land. They seem to forget how these groups reacted to these “labels” and what the end result was. They forget the lessons of history and hide behind their own “labels” whenever history repeats itself.

“Labels” which are used by one group of people to dehumanize another group of people in a negative way for the sake of power and greed should be outlawed. Or better yet, the group using these “labels” should have to wear the other groups’ “label” for a day and then they might begin to see what harm they are really doing. Labels belong on toothpaste, designer cloths, soup cans and paintings, not on human beings.

Thank you, Shazney, for seeing beyond this “label.” Maybe others can learn to do the same. (Charles Springer is a “non labeled” resident of Santa Monica who lives on the street. He is a freelance artist and writer. He)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 29, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092903.pdf?ref=smdp.com)