I am currently cleaning my room and I have the radio on. Suddenly this song comes on by Everlast that I have heard a dozen times but this time I really heard it.
One thing that absolutely breaks my heart and enrages me at the same time is how people treat the homeless, the down and out, or any other person they deem ok to judge without trying to understand them at all.
I was recently in Chicago with my family and some extended family and while we were walking around, we passed many, many homeless people, including some vets who had lost their limbs in war. My heart broke walking past them because I knew that I could not help every single one of them AND I saw how people were acting like they did not exist… like they were not humans too, who deserved love, respect, and a chance, maybe even a second or third chance.
And what disgusted me so much that I had to work really hard to hold my tongue was what my dad and two of my extended family members said. They immediately responded the exact way the man responds in the song and said things like “Why don’t they go to the VA! They will help them! Maybe because they’re freakin’ drug addicts and alcoholics and don’t want to work!” or “Ugh… why don’t they go get a job! Not like its hard!” or “I can’t believe those people are faking being a vet to get money! How horrible!” All of these exclamations were said with the utmost in disgust and judgment. My stomach literally turned.
And this was on the way back to our nice suites at a nice hotel and after we had stuffed ourselves with a nice meal… not like any of us have ever been even close to where they’ve been and are.
Its funny how much they (and many others) supposedly “know” about these people by just looking at them. They are all “drug addicts”, “alcoholics”, “liars”, “cheats”, “lazy slobs”, or any other horrible thing you could think of to say. But the funny thing is… they have never tried to even ask these people their stories. They just judge them. Giving these people NO chance at the help they need whether they are what those people say or not.
I know some people who work at the Walmart in Denton and are homeless. They can’t help it at all. The husband had a serious illness that took ALL their money in medical bills and they lost EVERYTHING. They live on the streets of Denton and try their best and work at the only place that will hire them because of their status… Walmart. These people are AMAZING, yet people walk by them constantly and judge them so much that I don’t know how they don’t just give up. No wonder some homeless people choose to self-medicate their pain with alcohol and drugs. They need help no matter what.
Also, I have read several article lately about how the vets are not getting what they need from the government. They have been severely disabled in war for their country and many are not getting what the government promised them. Also, many homeless shelters are overloaded and can’t afford to help every person (or family) in need. There are so many other reasons that people are really and seriously in need of help, but unfortunately most people don’t care enough to find out these things.
And I don’t agree with abortion, but the same goes for that part of the song. How about you take a second to understand that they are scared to death at what will happen and need some love. Prostitutes, drug dealers… any other person that is constantly judged… How about we love them?? God forbid that they may be so scared or so down and out that they have no idea how to just survive. They just need a chance. A real chance. Jesus would not respond even close to how most of us respond to these type of people everyday. He would love them. Love them.
How about we all do that…? Lets all try a lot of love, peace, and understanding… you won’t believe the amazing things that will happen with just those three things. :)
We’ve all seen the man at the liquor store beggin’ for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange
He ask the man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes
Get a job you fuckin’ slob’s all he replied
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
‘Cause then you really might know what it’s like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what it’s like
Then you really might know what it’s like
Then you really might know what it’s like
Then you really might know what it’s like
Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom who said he was in love
He said don’t worry about a thing baby doll
I’m the man you’ve been dreamin’ of
But three months later he said he won’t date her or return her call
And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin’ through the doors
They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a whore
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes
‘Cause then you really might know what it’s like to have to choose
Then you really might know what it’s like
Then you really might know what it’s like
Then you really might know what it’s like
Then you really might know what it’s like
I’ve seen a rich man beg
I’ve seen a good man sin
I’ve seen a tough man cry
I’ve seen a loser win
And a sad man grin
I heard an honest man lie
I’ve seen the good side of bad
And the down side of up
And everything between I licked the silver spoon
Drank from the golden cup
Smoked the finest green
I stroked the baddest dimes at least a couple of times
Before I broke their heart
You know where it ends
Yo, it usually depends on where you start
I knew this kid named Max
He used to get fat stacks out on the corner with drugs
He liked to hang out late at night
Liked to get shit faced
And keep pace with thugs
Until late one night there was a big gun fight
Max lost his head
He pulled out his chrome .45
Talked some shit
And wound up dead
Now his wife and his kids are caught in the midst of all of his pain
You know it crumbles that way
At least that’s what they say when you play the game
God forbid you ever had to wake up to hear the news
‘Cause then you really might know what it’s like to have to lose
Then you really might know what it’s like
Then you really might know what it’s like
Then you really might know what it’s like
Then you really might know what it’s like
To have to lose…
~Everlast “What its like”
