Stereotypes.

The Super Bowl is about a month away. So, as an avid Steelers fan(sorry, Denver), I am excited by this time of year. But hold on… don’t stop reading if you are not a sports fan because this blog is not about touchdowns and field goals.

This years’ NFL championship game will be played in Indianapolis and the National Coalition for the Homeless published an article that raises some interesting points. As the city prepares for the infusion of tourists and the money that accompanies such an event, there is an effort to keep the local homeless population off the streets and out of public eye. City officials promise that there will not be any ‘forced relocation’ which is comforting because we all know politicians do not lie.

I can understand a city’s desire to maximize every endeavor to generate finances in such dire fiscal times. I cannot fault a local economy for wanting to capitalize on such a unique opportunity to profit and reward its vendors and businesses. A few monkey wrenches are tossed into this equation, however. One fundamental flaw in what is happening in Indiana is the idea that if the homeless are kept off the streets, then the ‘problem’ is remedied. This is simply not true, but it is also another blog for another day.

Perhaps what is irritating me the most is the idea that a person can be identified as homeless on appearance alone. There is a definite stigma attached to homelessness and many times a homeless person is perceived to look a certain way. There are some truths rooted in this mass generalization… many chronically homeless individuals do not have access to clean clothes or regular hygienic resources. But to jump to hasty conclusions regarding all homeless persons based on half-baked theories as to who is and isn't homeless because of their physical attributes is ignorant and mean-spirited.

Right now the city of Indianapolis is preparing to ignore one of largest elephants to ever grace a living room anywhere. It is easy to cast stones. But how many times have we crossed the street to avoid passing someone who made us uncomfortable? Have we, in the Flathead Valley, become so highly evolved that this is not an issue for us? I like to think we are making strides in this area, but I will leave that up to you.