Friday, November 29, 2013

"No and Me" and Parisian Homelessness



Have you ever read a novel that made you stop and think? Not because it resulted in a surprising revelation, but simply because it perfectly described what you see every day.

That was the case recently when I read "No and Me" by Delphine de Vigan. It's the story of a Parisian teenager who befriends a young homeless girl in one of the city's train stations and tries to save her from life in the streets.

Although I recommend the book, this isn't a review.

This is more about the underlying issue. The other side of the Paris we know and love. The homelessness that keeps increasing in spite of all of the social programs in this country. (Les Restos du Coeur, a charitable organization, say that last year the number of people helped reached nearly 1 million).

But you don't have to look at the statistics. You just have to look out the window. And it's of particular concern when the temperatures dip into winter territory.

What's frightening and sad is that after living here a while, we're often desensitized. We no longer see the dirty groupings of blankets near heating ducts or the desperate faces here and there.

I think of this as the Parisian streets light up for the holidays, the crowds multiply in front of department stores and rush hour in the subway transforms itself into rush hours. Passers-by move about as if in a bubble filled with their own priorities and concerns. I scold myself for the times that I've been in my own bubble.

As I tell myself that I will always appreciate the beauty of Paris, I say that I also must make a more important promise: To never close my eyes to that person sitting on the sidewalk.


8 comments:

  1. Indeed. It seems to be an issue in every city, everywhere. And at Christmas, maybe many of them may get the chance of help for a few days from vaious charities, and then go back to being invisible for the rest of the year. Like you, I'm easily distracted.

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  2. Yes, it's rough because the only solutions seem to be temporary, assistance for a few days here or there. I guess here in France there at least is more help than in many other places.

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  3. It's so easy to have a romanticized view of cities which are tourist spots... or countries, for that matter. This book sounds incredible. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Indeed! I think it's interesting to really see the "full picture" even if it isn't as pretty as the romanticized one. Thanks for reading!

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  5. I love it when a book makes you think like this. We can get caught up in our own lives and the Christmas rush but we all need to be better about seeing the other people out there who aren't as lucky as we are.

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    1. Yes, I agree... would make the world a whole lot better!

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  6. Adria,

    Even though I've never been to Paris, I've been traveling with my husband and living temporarily in a few locations outside of my home in sunny Florida. And we've been living in large cities: Denver, Boston, DC. . . So I see many more homeless people in the cold, and it's heartbreaking! I think it's a good reminder that we can do a little bit to help out and make everything a lot better for people who are less fortunate.

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    1. I'm from Florida too! I had the same reaction, seeing the homeless here in the cold... just awful. Thanks so much for your comment. And enjoy your travels... You must be having an amazing experience!

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