By Jun Zheng

If you look at my recent posts on this blog, homeless is featured in the title.

Because for me, it is easier to call someone homeless, than destitute, houseless or a rough sleeper. It is also easier for society.

I got a comment on this post. From Busco Tung, he said:

People Experiencing Homelessness” rather than “Homeless” as a label. Homelessness doesn’t DEFINE someone, just like a bigger house doesn’t define someone like we don’t call people “Mansion livers”, “Condo livers” or “Grate livers.

 

I thought this was a really brilliant observation that we all need to be aware of.

When we label someone as homeless, we treat them apropriately to the label.

They are irresponsible, drunks, mental and addicted. When we bunch them all into a simple category we can wrap understand, ignorance and prejudice occurs. So we end up not wanting to help.

I use homeless because it is universal and easy.

What do you think, is the label homeless damaging? and if so, should we use other terms?