It’s time to focus on a form of discrimination that doesn’t get much attention until one of us has died of hypothermia: discrimination against the homeless, other-housed, nomads, travelers, etc.

Augusta seems to have a sizable amount of them. I’ve met three and it’s one of these three I’m concerned about. He hangs out at an Irving and until recently was sleeping on the porch of a federal building. He was approached by Augusta police and told he couldn’t sleep there. He looks physically frail, uses a walker and needs to get to the clinic in Waterville daily. I’ve been doing my best to get him there. Some days I can’t.

Why can’t he stay on the porch? He’s not hurting a thing.

I live in my truck with my dogs. I’ve been approached by Augusta police and told I can’t sleep at the park-and-ride at the Civic Center. Why? There are no signs saying it’s not allowed. I stopped, but went back the next day and was told I couldn’t park there anymore. Why?

I’m tired of being seen as less than; it’s not my problem if my presence makes you uncomfortable. I keep to myself.

So I spend sleepless nights at Walmart. Walmart is smart though; they know we have limited funds and need a place to buy food, personal products — wow, just like people who are traditionally housed.

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We don’t want your pity; we want the same respect you’d give others, and not to be judged, not to be harassed by cops when we’re trying to sleep, and to be left alone unless you have questions — not to be condescending to us, but to learn so you don’t assume.

We aren’t all addicts, mentally ill, lazy, looking for handouts. Before you stereotype us and assume the worst, call the cops, denigrate us in some form, or discriminate against us, you should get to know us. We all have stories to share.

 

Peggy Kolesar

Augusta

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