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Sorrow in the Spring: Memories of Dr. King’s Memorial

Opinion
As I write of the memorial services for Martin Luther King, Jr., we’re in a similar crisis today, as Ferguson, Missouri, joins the ranks of Memphis, Watts, Selma and far too many other locations where our nation’s racism has given us a shameful record of violations of human rights.

Why So Many Are Trapped in the Cycle of Poverty

Opinion
People with low incomes are fairly likely to overdraw their bank account. The banks have learned to ruthlessly make a massive profit off this fact, and in the process, have ruined the lives of poor and disabled people. This cycle of economic need and mounting debt has jeopardized many people.

A Republican’s Sojourn on the Street

Opinion
Neel Kashkari spent seven days sleeping on park benches but managed to not disturb any of his free market, anti-regulation Republican principles. If he’d stuck with it a little longer, he would have learned that the tattered safety net for which he has such disdain needs more, rather than less, funding.

Exposing the Untold History of Psychiatric Atrocities

Commentary
Over its history, Street Spirit has published a series of in-depth reports on many different kinds of psychiatric abuses that have been carried out in the name of healing, yet often end up damaging and disabling people for life. In light of renewed calls for forced psychiatric detention under the guise of "helping the mentally ill," we are collecting and re-publishing these stories in a new section "Psychiatric Abuses and Human Rights". 

Laura’s Law and the Danger of Forced Detention

Commentary
How much sweeter “Laura’s Law” sounds than Forced Detention or Treatment! Yet it all sounds an awful lot like the usual government arguments used to justify surveillance, control, invasion of privacy. Who is to say this new law won’t be used to punish and isolate the indigent and the ill?

How Developers Are Milking the Housing Crisis for Profit

Opinion
This is how homelessness happens. These absurdly small, dorm-style, windowless nightmares are efforts by developers to capitalize on the housing crisis. Absolutely no more square footage in the densely populated town of Berkeley should be squandered on any proposal that makes no effort to address the housing crisis.

Society Excludes and Denies Employment to Disabled Persons

Opinion
Panhandling is intrinsically no less honorable than many socially acceptable professions, such as working for financial companies that offer predatory loans to desperate people. Another dishonorable, but respected job is inventing weapons in the aerospace industry that could one day facilitate the demise of life on our planet.

They Care for the Lives of the People They Serve

Opinion
The staff at the church have a passion for people. They serve meals on a regular basis without pay. They wouldn’t show up unless they cared. Inside the church, people from all races come to eat. A balanced meal is served and fresh vegetables are available to take home.

I Learned I’m a Warrior and a Survivor

Opinion
I’ve learned from being homeless that I’m a warrior, a survivor. When I was going through rough, raw stuff, people said things to me that felt hurtful. It matters to offer encouragement and hope, and to tell a person, “Don’t give up. Life is not over. You can make life better.”

The Streets Became My Home But I Did Not Give Up

Opinion
As a gypsy traveler, I rode buses during the night. Sometimes I’d pass the wee hours of the night on a park bench. I’d wake up early morning. The park bench was my couch, the green grass and trees were my living room. I’d take in the simple pleasures of life.

The Ruthless Economic Elite at the Top of the Pyramid

Opinion
People of lower socioeconomic status have become “trailer trash” or worse. Anyone who is not in the country-club set doesn’t count as a “real” person. Homeless people are perceived by mainstream society as being something less than a person, to be avoided, or to be driven out of sight.

Life Gets Better and Better Every Day

Opinion
Finally, I had a key in my hand for my own apartment. Every time I turn the key to open the door I feel appreciation and accomplishment. I’m now living where God wants me to be. I feel good about myself and fit into the lifestyle of being housed and mentally stable.