 The House the Homeless memorial to homeless Austinites who have passed away sits directly across Lady Bird Lake from City Hall. I wonder if Jennifer, in her many trips in and out of the building, stopped to look across the river at the tree and think of those she knew who are remembered there. It's a tragedy for our city that her name should be added to the many ribbons already decorating the tree: tragic not only for her early departure, but also because she joins so many other individuals who have passed away while homeless in Austin.
The Sunday morning memorial for Jennifer Gale was bitterly cold, a fact touched on by many who spoke, some intentionally under-dressed in a sign of solidarity with those who sleep on the street in all conditions. Many folks called for greater support of homeless Austinites from the City Council members in attendance. One of the more specific suggestions called for expanding the Habitat On Wheels project and renaming the area Jennifer Gale Village. This would be a fitting permanent monument to the woman who cared so much about our city. And while Jennifer's death may indeed serve as a catalyst for greater attention to the actual plight of those who live on the streets, it will at best amount to a pyrrhic victory.
The media came out in full force to the service, giving significant attention to the homeless individuals and their advocates who spoke. As several mourners remarked, perhaps in her death Jennifer will finally accomplish the action and bring to fruition the care for others that she championed throughout her life. While I was glad to see the media give such attention to her passing and the reality of life on the streets, I wondered what would have happened if that same level of attention had been paid even one year ago. One hundred and thirty six homeless people-that we know of-have died on Austin's streets in the past year. They didn't have the voice that Jennifer shared with us, but they deserved help all the same.
We know so many of the homeless in our city by name, by sight. How many of us can picture homeless Austinites whom we pass on a regular basis? I remember a young woman who spent several weeks in my corner of Hyde Park, shifting between shopping areas and a few sidewalk squares that fell on the nebulous border between commercial and residential properties. How many of us regularly carry apples or granola bars to hand out to those on the streets? It's a small gesture, a temporary fix, but better than nothing, I suppose. I remember sharing a warm cookie from the former Metro coffee shop with an older homeless man along Guadalupe. Not the most nutritious food, to be sure, but certainly good for the soul.
It's also upsetting to know that one of Austin's own died while sleeping so close to a church. A church is supposed to serve as a sanctuary, and nearly every religion on this earth emphasizes some aspect of the sacredness of life. Are there churches in Austin open twenty-four hours, especially when the temperature dips to these recent depths? Do concerns about vandalism trump the need for human survival? Hundreds of people can fit in church pews to worship; why not to live?
Jennifer Gale's death is a huge loss to our city, one that we might not fully appreciate for quite some time. A Jennifer sighting was always a treat, a welcome surprise, a reminder of our city's special character and that it takes all kinds to keep Austin weird. Worst of all is the feeling that perhaps we took her for granted, the oft-described "perennial political candidate." How many of us considered the harsh conditions she faced on a daily basis? Did we recognize how her time spent advocating to the city detracted from her ability to gain shelter and provisions? The answer, it seems, is no. Sadly, if we had, maybe we wouldn't be forced to memorialize her now.
If you have a Jennifer Gale stories you'd like to share, feel free to do so in the comments. |
