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Social responses to stigma

By Surfing Sofas

11 December 2023

Health

25 people who have participated in our study recently met to explore the emerging analysis from the study and to give their input. The afternoon had talks and creative discussions, helped by the Museum of Homeless team who are part of the Social Responses to Stigma study. The event was illustrated by PJ Annand. Surfing sofas, the resident poet for the Museum of Homelessness, also penned a poem through the afternoon building on the ideas everyone brought. Thank you to everyone who gave their time and ideas for the day.

Social responses to stigma

By Surfing Sofas

Stigma is something that I've seen In situations
Fueled by isolation and mean discrimination.
Where outsiders are outcasted into alienation.
And the desensitised make their dangerous statements.

It's time to unbox the unclear things they have us dealing with.
"Some of us" face challenges, and hate how "some of them" speak on it, Especially some experts with attitudes like a piece of poo.
Some people wanna starve the poor, and others want to eat the rich.

Maybe cos it seems, those in power with money have their judgement warped. Leaving people like me feeling oppressed and wanting some support.
From my own observations, I tend to see the solution
Is to naturally operate with empathy and inclusion.

Open your heart, and rise through levels of elevation. And story sharing is a great method of education. Stigma has this way of being exclusive,
Which leads narrow minds to not being inclusive.

I'm tired of feeling pissed off and disappointed
Tired of feeling like I've been ignored, or been avoided. I'm homeless, but still human - not a monstrous Enigma. And I thank you all, for your ‘Social Responses to Stigma’.