by Blanche Belvidere

I’d like to begin by having a moment of silence for the passing of our good friends, “Compassion” and “Respect.” They’ve been ill and fading for quite some time, and it appears we have not been able to revive them.

If anyone attended or watched Tuesday’s City Council meeting, they would have witnessed how compassion and respect were replaced by anger, hostility, and complaints about not getting their way. I could elaborate further, but compassion and respect should apply to everyone, not just those we already like or agree with or simply to an unhoused stranger. Compassion and respect should be for EVERYONE.

I heard valid points from both sides, but one seemed stuck in an idealistic bubble with little information. I admired their chutzpah, but not the lack of decorum and yelling when they didn’t get their way. This is our current society, and no one deserves a trophy for coming in last. We saw the consequences of that firsthand on Tuesday night. It should be a lesson to do something better or differently.

People seem to be overlooking a serious issue: public defecation, drug use, and sexual activity happening in plain sight. Residents face harassment and assault, yet many ignore it, especially if they haven’t experienced it themselves. I’ve spent time in these areas, and I’ve yet to see any so-called “Justice League” members around, despite their claims of compassion. It’s frustrating.

Do they have compassion and respect for anyone else? If one of their friends or family members gets harassed or assaulted, or they step in a giant pile of human feces or vomit, will they feel the same? What about if your child gets stuck by a used needle simply by playing in the park? When all the businesses close downtown due to this problem, will they think this is a good thing, or will they start complaining that Lowell isn’t doing enough to bring business to the city? You can’t have it both ways. And from the looks of most of the speakers, it’s unlikely you’d survive a day of total anarchy in our city.

This isn’t about homelessness. It’s about losing control of what is acceptable behavior in public. I’m going to guess that most people speaking at Tuesday’s meeting are not taking their morning dump on their neighbors’ front porches because they feel it’s A-OK.

I’m aware that many of these speakers have the support of a few state representatives—representatives who have been silent on this issue.

Is everyone so unaware of why there is silence from our state government?

I assume you know this state is over one billion dollars in the hole due to a standoff with the federal government. If the funding does not come from the soon-to-be-outgoing administration, you won’t get it from the next one. The current administration’s game of chicken is over.

Do you understand what I’m saying, or do you prefer to remain uninformed?

This situation is not just a Lowell issue; it’s a national concern. Feel free to do some research and go down that dark rabbit hole. Your state rep friends will unlikely share that information, as they are not leading you in the right direction in your advocacy efforts. Change is possible, but stop with the small potatoes. Take a more significant and scarier step.

Want to show your big heart and undying compassion? Get out there and help people on your own. The government won’t do it for you. And while you’re at it, learn to have the same heart and compassion for every other resident and business owner in Lowell.