When you’re Homeless, Invisibility is a Survival Skill

Keep your head down and your mouth shut

That afternoon, I arrived at the homeless shelter an hour early. The Bouncer at the desk let me in, not always a sure thing, I sat down in the nearly empty waiting area. There were a couple of guys at the other end from me, they were talking loud and being annoying.

A Bouncer came in the room and threw them out. I started to get up, I was thinking he wanted me out as well. “ You stay right there, you’re fine.” He said.

Staying on the down-low

“ Being invisible has its advantages,” I thought, not for the first time. I would sit in the waiting area every night. I watched as guys showed up, high, drunk, and loud.

There was monitoring by cameras, and the Bouncers would often patrol the area. There was always somebody burning one, or nipping from a bottle.

More than once, I saw someone get thrown out into the cold

Minnesota is cold in the winter months. More than once, I watched as a drunk, or high asshole was thrown out into the street. I would laugh inwardly at the posturing going on around me.

I never had a problem, except for one time. I let my guard down, I could have easily got hurt by the psycho, but I had sense enough to shut up and walk away.

He was stretched out across some chairs napping, I had got up to go to the john, and I wanted my chair back. It didn’t go well. I’m lucky, I didn’t get hurt.

He tried to set me on fire

It was a reminder to keep my head down. I had always done that in the past, in my working life. being invisible served me well. The napper wasn’t happy about being woken up, so he tried to set me on fire.

I was fortunate, the Bouncers opened the sleeping area, and the asshole forgot about me. I told a Bouncer what happened, but he looked at me like I was nuts.

He believed me, he probably wondered why I didn’t keep my mouth shut. It was a harsh reminder, to be invisible, and stay invisible.

The Security Guards were very aggressive

It was the same way at the library, I watched as homeless people would sit together, and be loud and annoying. The security guards, often backed-up by cops, would roust them and throw them out of the building.

My only problem at the library was, I would doze off. I would be woken up by a tap on the shoulder by a guard. I would get up and take out my laptop, or sign for a computer, so I could have something to occupy my time.

Folks would hurry by like I would bite them, or something

The downside to being invisible? Minneapolis had some of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life. They and everyone else walked by me like I wasn’t there.

I understand why, I don’t hold it against them at all, but it dehumanizes a person to be ignored like that. My self-worth was almost at zero.

Final thought:

Pray for the homeless. If you can, volunteer at a shelter, or donate to a charity. I’m not asking you to make eye contact and smile, a lot of them would latch on and try to take advantage.

Think about them as you pass by, and say a prayer for them, and yourself, that it never happens to you.