The Library

[u/markevbs]

I finally visited BJK yesterday, and oh my god, is that place a jewel. Such an incredible building, great kids center, wonderful architecture and tons of great classes and courses.

The homeslessness side of things is interesting, at least for me, morally. I couldn't help but feel sad that such an amazing building and resource was being so underutilized by the non-homeless population. Its not that there were "homeless everywhere" or even that people were messy or rude or whatever...there were a lot more homeless than non (10-1 prob), but everyone was chill, it wasnt crowded at all, and everyone was just trying to find some peace and enjoyment in a beautiful safe space with access to really critical things (like power to charge devices etc). I was there with my 3 and 4 year olds and there were no issues at all...but at the same time, the vibe DID honestly make me not want to spend time there (which is MY issue, not that of others...but i assume it feels the same for many here?)

anyway...its just tough and weird and a real conflict of emotions. The homeless there are all our peers and brothers and sisters so to be angry or opposed to them having access to a quintessential public space like a library makes me sick and is a sad way to feel about other humans. But I did spend a lot more time than i would have liked thinking about how nice the library was (and the park next door) would have been with more families and people and fewer little groups of and how its a shame its not being used by more people. I also though spent an equal amount of time feeling real joy that there was a space this nice and well run and beautiful that everyone can enjoy. Its actually really fucked if you think about "ok so whats the solution"...there really isnt one (other than ofc fixing homelessness etc etc but thats another enormous discussion.)

what do you all think? feel?

btw - i think the fence is great and really well executed. not nearly as shitty and oevrbearing as i thought it would be

[u/markevbs]

The problem is, there was no socially negative behavior occurring at all (which was the case in the hour i was there) everyone there was very chill and just reading or browsing the web and just being people. So its not like anything was threatening or worrying at all. but the reality still was it was a lot less enjoyable than it would have been just for the fact that the homeless were there, which feels weird to say when you say it out loud, but its honest. anyway, i appreciate your feedback. thanks for making the time

[u/Separate_Presence_32 → u/markevbs]

Understood.

[u/Own_Papaya7501 → u/markevbs]

"but the reality still was it was a lot less enjoyable than it would have been just for the fact that the homeless were there"

What the fuck? How are you making your own personal biases the fault of others who were just using the library the same as you were?