WTF is going on at WTF Consulting?

***Warning*** The following rant is not suitable for those with liberal arts degrees, Californians or anyone with an overdose of political correctness.  All comments in reference to the fact that I am indeed a jackass can thus be withheld.  Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Spring…that blessed time of year where the weather finally sheds winter’s cold grip, the earth springs forth with new life, the song birds return to the trees…and the homeless once more wander freely in downtown Sioux Falls.

 

Walking about downtown on one of my daily wanderings, I recently noted that the warm weather of these past few days has brought out the homeless and vagabonds in numbers not seen since the winter migration of last October.  Present everywhere from storefronts of Phillips Avenue boutiques, to the benches of Fawick Park, to the usual haunt in front of the library; they are settling as summer fixtures in the downtown landscape.

 

Now, I recognize the political dilemma that surrounds the homeless in the downtown area. City leaders are constantly harangued from both sides as how to handle the situation—some say the homeless wanderers drive down quality of life downtown; while others insist that we have a right and responsibility to those in need, and that downtown provides “opportunity” for assistance.  I would like to go on record as saying I am a champion for both sides…let me explain.

 

On a recent visit to Venice Beach, California, I was struck by the fact that the vagabonds of the coast are so much more interesting than our destitute peoples.  Yes, they are indeed poverty ridden, often under-bathed and many times quite crazy—but that have something we just don’t—they’ve got skills. When you stroll down the beach front in Venice, the homeless may indeed be homeless…but they are remarkable for their abilities.  Some are musicians, some are painters, some are itinerant street dramatists (well, maybe those guys I thought were makeup-free mimes were really just Schizophrenic, but still fascinating to watch).

 

What I am trying to say is that we need to get our homeless some training…hook them up with free guitars, paint brushes, mime makeup—give the public something else to watch besides the general destitution.  Capitalize on the “unique” qualities our friends of the streets have. My worldly experience may indeed be quite limited, but I am pretty sure that the sign your city is really “growing” up is when you have a downtown full of performing impoverished street artists.  This is MY dream for our great city.  So let’s rally together and set up a “Downtown Sioux Falls School for the Vagabond Arts”.  Government endowed of course…

School for the Vagabond Arts