San Francisco’s homelessness crisis is the worst I’ve ever seen. I try my best to be aware of how I present myself, understanding that presence matters and that as humans, we are all brothers and sisters. Yet, after living next to the Tenderloin and confronting its reality daily, I started to develop subconscious fears. I found myself instinctively crossing to the other side of the street, plugging my nose, and feeling a genuine fear for my life as if random strangers are really pressed about me and what I have going on.
Every time I feel that jolt of nervousness walking home at night or riding the bus, I catch myself imagining a different street. A street where there were no homeless people. Yes, it might smell less like piss. Yes, it might have less trash on the ground. Sure, I might feel more comfortable getting where I need to go, but was this city truly constructed for my comfort or even the comfort of the majority? God knows, the people I’m fearing don’t look comfortable.
Last nig…
