I recently sent a Letter to the Editor of one of our local newspapers. After a delay in publication, I found my letter published, but published in an edited form. Below is my full, non-edited letter. Please note the vast differences: http://ruidosofreepress.com/view/full_story/14916390/article-All-residents-deserve-respect?instance=letters_main_opinion
To the Editor,
In the editorial on Tuesday, June 28th, 2011, residents of Ruidoso were urged to contact police or crime stoppers if they “spot homeless encampments.” I support this action for the sake of public safety and potential non-adherence to fire restrictions. However, nowhere in the editorial were residents informed as to the illegal nature of these “homeless encampments”; furthermore, readers were left to assume that all homeless people are a threat to our community. While the cause of the June 16 Swallow Fire was not released at the time of publication, the tone of the editorial lead readers to presume guilt to a homeless person. Additionally, other unproved speculations were cited resulting in dehumanizing language.
The village deems these people a “real problem”, and fervently removes “brush and other cover that the homeless use to hide from public view.” In fact, this exercise was referred to by Ruidoso Police Lt. Ray Merritt as a game of “Whack-A-Mole”. If our homeless neighbors are “seasonal residents of Ruidoso” as the title of the editorial suggest, then I am of the opinion that we should treat them with hospitality. Certainly we should conclude that referring any of our residents as “moles” is inappropriate. Our homeless neighbors are people; some choose their transient lifestyle; others are forced into it for a variety of economic and/or mental health reasons.
Regardless of why they are homeless, these are human beings. Thus, until any resident is guilty of a crime, our police and civic officials should treat them with respect and understanding. Our village’s passive-aggressive policy of the removal of brush is inhumane and possibly unjust.
May Ruidoso be known for its hospitality to all its residents and not for its discrimination between homeowner, renters, visitors, and transients.
Ryan Arnold,
fellow resident.
1 comment:
Dang, the best parts were cut. And, by the way, go you, Cousin! Most cities just want to push the homeless out of the way: "out of sight, out of mind," they say. Then, they look out, don't see a homeless person, and think, "Ah, all our problems our gone," when in actuality all they've done is hide the problem. Many people see a homeless person and think "drug addict, lazy bum!" But each and every one of them has a story of why they are there. Believe me, I've heard some of them, and if I were in their shoes, I would probably be on the streets as well. (Kara)
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