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Hot off the press is the news that the Indianapolis police are going to clear their streets of homeless people for the upcoming Super Bowl. Law enforcement has said they are trying to find them shelter but are clueless as where to put these "Urban Campers". I am sure they will not find shelter in the hotels that the incoming sports fans are going to stay in.
Did you know homeless people are now called "Urban Campers"? I had no idea until two weeks ago when Ralph Huerta, 56, had just finished pushing his friend Bruce across the street in his wheelchair. The stretch of Ardenwood Boulevard near Highway 84 in San Leandro, CA. does not have a crosswalk and Huerta was killed in a two vehicle hit and run. ABC news reported that the police described Huerta as an "Urban Camper".
I shook my head in disbelief and decided to check the Urban Dictionary and sure enough it said that an "Urban Camper" was a euphemism for a homeless person. Since when have we become so politically correct about the homeless? There are even information pages on the web to instruct you on how to urban camp correctly. Does anyone really want to sleep in some alley way if you have a choice?
They suggested in the article you would need the following:
A good sleeping bag and a foam mat to sleep on.
A small tarp can come in handy as a barrier from dirt and as a cover.
A Hammock can help you find comfy, hidden places to sleep in that you wouldn't otherwise be able to.
Does this look like most "Urban Campers" have these things available? The person who slept here is no "rookie".
Socks, socks, socks, and underwear (there's nothing worse then a chaffing underside while hiking the city all day).
Extra jacket, and at least one extra pair of clothes.
Ask this man how many extra socks he has or does he complain about chafing if he "fumbles" at something?
They also say to bring a good Sharpie marker for leaving your mark and making signs.
Do you think this man really wants to make signs on his line of "scrimmage"?
Pack extra food in case something goes wrong or you are delayed. Of course, you don't really have to pack any food at all; you are in the city.
Pack just like as if you were camping in the woods as almost all the same things will apply, save for money and a bus pass.
I don’t think this man has a bus pass nor the money for anything else. He is his own "free agent"!
Bring a musical instrument! Although this isn't a necessity, it will aid in gathering extra cash for your party to share. Try a harmonica, being as they are small and easy to learn. Create your own style!
This man thought he was Franz Lehar's son and yes; he had his own style. This was no ritzy "halftime" show; this was all about surviving.
Sleeping on the streets may make you look homeless. But hey, if done right and with style, can make you look cool too.
This woman isn't feeling well and has no warm bed to crawl into; is that cool too? It's very "off side" to me.
Do not try this as a method of transportation for a business trip, unless you are a professional stunt man, actor, activist, musician, artist, busker, juggler, buccaneer, gypsy... oh heck, you know who you are.
This is his only means of transportation and he is on the business trip of life trying to survive. He is a "man-in-motion".
Urban Camping is illegal and remember to be a lone wolf when you go to sleep!
This is his only place to sleep and he sleeps in the daytime because after dark is just too dangerous to have his eyes closed as he might get "tackled".
So just like Red China did before the Olympics Indianapolis will now clear their "Urban Campers" out to parts unknown. How thoughtful that the United States of America now has that new indefinite detention law to make some things easier. Will some of our "Urban Campers" disappear just because of the Super Bowl? Is a football game more important than the homeless who are real people that live on the streets? For shame Indianapolis; may you never become poor and have no home. I hear that Urban Camping even done with style is no "touchdown"!
Linda Seccaspina 2012
All photos by Linda Seccaspina
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Comments
Very poignant photos.
If no one reads it fine but I have done my very best to get it out. Its a travesty!
No, me neither.
The poverty in America is exploding while CEO pay and bonuses continue to escalate at alarming rates. The pie is only so big and when you give more pie to one group, another group is sure to suffer. Many who work still qualify for food stamps. This is a subsidy to the big box stores and Walmart.
We should be ashamed, but fully half of our country believes the homeless are getting exactly what they deserve.
$660 billion for the military this year while the country collapses around us. Shame on us.
"What did he just say??"
I was appalled.
"We should be ashamed, but fully half of our country believes the homeless are getting exactly what they deserve."
Do you know how many 'believers' told me that? I am shocked.. Those that profess that we a re all going to hell should take a good look at themselves.
um - shouldn't we be outraged that this is only a superbowl policy, and isn't in effect 365 days a year, instead?
" Put the autoBOTS down Fred(tm)......."
FRed(tm) and I are celebrating being able to get 'on' to OS and yes Steve n I are probably stalking you. Orf now to buy a cabbage.
http://youtu.be/l6MFN8yiVc0
Lezlie
Phyllis.. I have NO doubt about that at all.
Jon: I thought it was quite indignant..
Creekend.. Steve has the corned beef so it will be a loverly compliment..:)
Sarah: Thanks so much for reading!
Another Steve: Please see Creekends comment
Scanner: I do agree
Triology It seems EVERYTHING takes precedence these days over people.
Miguela: You betcha
Bea: I live with a sports fan. He would give up the finances of what a couple of games would cost to feed people. I cannot believe that stadium item.
Sheila; so well said
Man I would kill to see that..:)
RATED!!!
Excellent reminder
rated with love
TINK.. everytime I see that avatar I think you have dreads.:)
Linda, maybe you should start a campaign -- build homes instead of drones! The profits from the football game could start things rolling. :)
To someone it's an easy choice. Someone who is warm, cozy and comfortable in their mansion.
Glad there are people like you to counteract those cold blooded snakes in Indianapolis.
I am convinced that "urban camper" is a joke. No way that someone can ever say that with a straight face. OMG.
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/30099658/detail.html
Scroll down and read the comment by CHIP, then click on more info from CHIP and read the rest of what they say. His last sentence?
"However, for the homeless in Indianapolis, increased police presence means increased opportunities for access to social services and assistance. It is only natural to be skeptical and to be vigilant, especially as game day draws nearer and pressure comes from some to sweep the streets; to hide the homeless. After all, other cities have done just that. Two years ago the host committee and the city made a commitment to follow a different course."
They say they are taking this opportunity to help them, according to the home town news. Will the help carry on after the game? I don't know. But what ever happened to the benefit of the doubt?
Scarlett: something stinks about all of this does it not?
Jeff.. Thank you kind sir
Ndrezteacher: There is absolutely something morally wrong with all of this.
Fernsy: You and me both. When I heard the ABC news announcer say it I asked Steve if I heard right. Then I went to Google and was floored.
Phyllis: short term solutions are not long term ones. Thank you so much for posting this link
Thoth: Just another day in America.
Michelle: It seems when you are homeless you have no choices.. but now even more
Do you know how many doctors that had someone die under them are out in the street? They just did not know how to face life after that.
OE- I do believe he just got fired..I wonder if he will be in the street some day
Bluestocking.. I know it seems to be done everywhere but its insane.
These photographs are living people.. They need respect
see my photo tomorrow I am going to quote you.
ah linda. we label. then we ...pigeonhole...then
we can survive the raw reality.
embrace yer label.
expand it into a way of be-ing....
urban camper.
suburban dreamer.
urbane educator.
eccentric urbane sophisticated heart of gold, u...
suburban dreamer -that is what we both might be but hell we know the difference from right and wrong.
HUGGGG