It takes a serious issue like the death of Joe Tall to make people recognize the serious problems plaguing the homeless.
The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston in 2005 estimated between 12,000 and 14,000 homeless people in the Houston area.
Fifty five percent of the homeless have a history of mental illness, while 57 percent have a history of substance abuse , the coalition estimates.
With the recession impacting charitable donations in the U.S., the amount of available funds has decreased. While there are few to blame for this unfortunate circumstance, it is a sad reality that hurts many people in need of assistance.
These problems become clearer when people hear of violent actions against the homeless.
Joe Tall’s murder has brought to light several ugly truths surrounding homelessness in Houston.
Violence against the homeless has been an ongoing problem. Several states have considered adding it as a hate crime law: Maryland is likely to become the first after its Legislature passed a bill adding the language to the state’s current hate crimes statute.
In Texas, Sen. Royce West has filed similar legislation; however, a similar bill died in the last legislative session without coming up to a vote.
Many lawmakers contend that hate crime laws are unnecessary and believe that all criminal actions should be treated the same.
UH Lutheran Campus Ministry pastor Brad Fuerst, who held a candlelight vigil for Tall shortly after his death, said the homeless should be treated respectfully, not violently.
‘ ‘Eradicating homelessness by violence is a skewed view,’ Fuerst said, speaking of Tall’s alleged killer. ‘There is another way to eradicate homelessness which requires a lot more effort and compassion.’
Fuerst also spoke of taking good things from difficult situations.
‘I think good things can come from evil. And I think that if anything good can come from this, people are beginning to talk about hunger and poverty,’ he said.
Fuerst said he believes that the younger generation is more civic-minded and has a sense of volunteerism. He said he hoped people would not only pray for the family of Joe Tall, but also for Jeremy Lee Pierce, who is charged with Tall’s murder, and his family.
Chris Busby is a political science and English major and may be reached at [email protected].
