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# Santa Monica Tuning out homeless won’t make them go away
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-tuning-out-homeless-wont-make-them-go-away/
- Published: 2003-12-15T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:20:00.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless, Homelessness

*By Charles Springer*

“As I write these recollections, I feel the streets calling my name, and I am reminded of the Wolfman portrayed in old movies. At night, when the moon was full, his body and soul was possessed by demons; he was powerless to prevent becoming a beast of the night or otherwise. I keep writing in my journal. I believe that something good might come out of all that has happened to me, something useful for all those who were not homeless. Most people shun the homeless. They don’t notice the homeless are growing in numbers. Unlike the buffalo of the past, they will not simply disappear. Why don’t we put them out of their misery? Well, to most people they’re not even human, they’re just litter, animated refuse left on the streets and sidewalks of the world.

Well, world, it’s time to turn on your TV sets, time to watch the Wheel of Misfortune for the Homeless. Let’s spin. Go ahead, Homeless Guy, spin the wheel of misfortune! Clickity-clackity-click. Where, oh, where will the wheel stop? Will it be a beating from another homeless person? Will it be jail or county hospital or death? Oh, too bad. It won’t be a trip to Hawaii or a brand-new car. Click! Look at that! Good fortune for a homeless contestant is not being hassled for a week or so, and that’s as good as a Picasso. (A Picasso is a painting, you masterpiece of despair) Applause, please. Everyone, you must applaud!

Come on, all you cool and collected people. It’s only Rock ’n’ Roll. Get a grip! You’re safe. Just give the poor beggars a a dime or quarter. They’re just there for the ride, they won’t hurt you. They’re just aimlessly wandering. Sooner or later, they’ll find Nowhere Land, and when they do they’ll be no trouble at all. Think to yourself for a moment, were they ever human? Did they have parents? A wife and children? Or do you think they were put on display for you to stare at, so you can feel horror and disgust? What do you think?

I wonder, too, sometimes. The homeless weren’t born that way. They didn’t just appear at age 20 or 30\. Some people think I was hatched under a rock at age 45, that I just appeared with no past, and no future. They think I’m a leper, an outcast from society. Click! Oh, I see, they turned off the TV so they don’t have to listen to this any more, but I won’t quit writing! One day, like Howland Owl’s shout, my words will be heard.

Only those that have walked in my shoes can know how I felt, after a year and a half — still felt. It’s maddening. You fight to keep sane, all the time certain you will fall victim to insanity or suicide. It’s a struggle to find food, or bathe. Tormented, I prayed for help, but like the good book says, “God only helps those who help themselves.”

This is an excerpt from a book by a homeless author named Jay Brady. The title is “Home Sweet Homeless”. He has documented the plight of homelessness in his travels throughout the Southwest and Santa Monica. It is a very powerful book with an excellent portrayal of homelessness. He is working on his second book now. I am trying to get Midnight Special to pick it up, but you can e-mail me if you wish to purchase a copy. I think if you read this book you will be very enlightened as to the reality of homelessness and see that it shows that not all of who are homeless are without talent and worth to society. (Charles Springer is a freelance writer and artist living and working in Santa Monica. He can be reached at Chaz\_59@yahoo.com)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 15, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/121503.pdf?ref=smdp.com)