Friday, March 29, 2013

Reflections on the Week: 03/23-03/29

Well, here we are. We've finished our final reflection for the week, and most everyone has headed off to bed (or to pack). Tomorrow we'll be leaving the hostel at ("What time are we meeting?!") 7:15 am, headed home to Minnesota.

I can't believe it's been a whole week. It feels like yesterday that twelve of us were gathered in Sorin at 3:30 am, shy, but mostly tired, nonetheless virtually silent, anxious at what the week would bring. Personally, after spending months planning the trip and preparing the group for the service we would be doing, I was very nervous. I had high hopes that the group would learn a lot, make bonds, and grow together. This was the third Catalyst trip I had been on during my time at Hamline, and while I was ecstatic about returning to Washington and continuing the work on homelessness, a part of me was also very scared that the trip wouldn't be meaningful. Mostly, I was worried that the Homeless Challenge wouldn't work out--I was honestly somewhat apathetic towards it the first time I completed it, but this year, I was excited and willing, but unsure about the rest of the group.

I was so wrong.

There really isn't one word that can express exactly how impressed, inspired, amazed, moved, and energized I am about the group of people that has emerged from this experience. It is really an exhilarating feeling to be surrounded by a group of people that are as passionate as they are, as educated and learned as they are, as motivated as they are, and as inspired they are to be doing this work. We've had an interesting week. More times than not we've been exhausted, with sore and blistered feet; we've been hungry, tired and even dreading the next time we had to get out of our beds. But every day, everyone gave their full effort to the service work we were doing. Every day during reflection, everyone shared something that they learned from the day, and every day I was moved by the deep analysis and quality of thought that came out of the day.

For many, if not all, I feel like this trip really was a catalyst--a springboard for the subsequent action that will ensue when we return to Minnesota. A fire truly has started here, and is burning bright as I write this blog post. We talked about the fact that there is no reason why the fire needs to die when we go back to Minnesota. There really is no legitimate justification for falling back on stereotypes and ignorance. By participating in this trip, and engaging in meaningful discussion, we have all equipped ourselves to defeat ignorance surrounding homelessness, one step at a time. I am confident that the lessons learned here will resonate loudly at home, and that waves will roll. I am confident that this group of people will accomplish much regarding homelessness, and I am so proud and honored to have been a part of this experience.

Upon our return to our privileged homes, in our privileged lives, it is my hope that we will all remember all of the individuals we met and spoke with and shared time with this past week. It is my hope that we all remember to think critically about homelessness, and always continue to fight the ignorance and stereotypes that plague this issue that really is hidden in plain sight.

Before I close, I would like to share one piece of knowledge with you, readers, that we've talked about this week, with the hope that you will take this information and use it to stop the perpetuation of the "us-them" mentality pandemic. When talking about homelessness, and specifically referencing or talking about individuals experiencing homelessness, be aware of your language. Be aware that homelessness is not an identity, and that we should try to semantically separate homelessness from individuality, as homelessness is but one period of time in a person's life. While a person may have been brought up in homelessness, experiencing homelessness is not inherent to their person. Instead of using terms such as "homeless person," or "homeless people" to talk about the entire group of individuals who are homeless, try to use language such as "experiencing homelessness." This way, we can separate the experience of homelessness from a person's inherent identity. Moreover, we don't typically use terms such as "the housed" in everyday language, as this generalizes an entire class of diverse, unique individuals. The same principle guides the resistance from using terms such as "the homeless" to make general statements about every member of the community without homes that is diverse and unique in and of themselves. Please be aware of your language. Use these new terms when you talk about homelessness--and this change may spark others' awareness as well.

Please continue to talk about this issue--make people aware of how critical an issue it is, and continue to transform your words into action.

See you all next year~
<3 Cristina

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