The short version of the daily Internet

The short version of the daily Internet
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Thursday, September 2, 2010

In My Own Backyard

This is a breathtaking look at a tremendous enigma facing Vancouver. It is a documentary on UBC student Misha Kleider's venture into the "Downtown Eastside", an area of harsh decrepitude, where many of the homeless in Vancouver live. I will warn you, it is fairly harsh and real at times, so be prepared.



You should be able to play the other parts in sequential order, if you're watching from beginning to end. Or you can just go on YouTube yourself: http://www.youtube.com/user/CoreyOgilvie#p/a/u/0/I6-1oo-b3Ds.

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What makes me so perturbed about this issue is the fact that it is happening so close to home. I live in a Vancouver suburb, and I am very proud and fortunate to reside here. The Olympics were an experience unlike no other, as I took part in the celebrations downtown when we won Gold in Men's Hockey. That moment of unity took my opinion of Vancouver over the top.

Yet, at the same time, there seems to be this perpetual gap in between all of the fun times and culture. The film is a cold reminder of reality.

I have seen the homeless myself, roaming the streets and panhandling. I try to pay them no regard. I simply cannot comprehend what I could be donating to, or whether or not this person deserves my sympathy or help. I can't even be sure if giving to them would help. I don't know what to think of them. Here I am, with one shot at a life in my hands, and I have it pretty good. I live in what I consider to be the best city on Earth. Yet I see others without homes...they are living their window of existence, and I see a lot of unfortunate pain.

To be honest, I ignore it. I just don't know what to do about it. Giving won't help. I don't feel the need to be hostile with them. Live and let live, right? Ought I act with a cleared conscience? I don't feel guilt for it. Now I'm rambling. Off to bed.

Regards,
The Big L.P.

10 comments:

  1. The first time I went to Vancouver was really my first experience with homeless people. I was told "don't give them any money!" but when I was walking around town on my own, I did.

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  2. i was walking into wendys once.. and there was a homeless person and he asked me for money.. and i told him i had none.. yet i was going to wendys.. fail.

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  3. Interesting documentary and it really is surprising that it's happening in your own neighborhood. I'm not from Vancouver but from the other side of the globe and I bet there plenty of homeless people here too although I barely never see any.

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  4. If a homeless person catches me by myself I have a hard time saying no, I'm glad they usually only ask for a dollar or some change, because I'm really poor.

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  5. my city is facing the same problem, vancouver is a great city by the way

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