Voices: Keep an open mind

April 30, 2008 10:23 pm

— I have never written a letter of opinion before. But after reading the article on the front page of The Joplin Globe (Saturday, April 26), I feel I must respond. The article in question is “Church member opposes shelter.”
I have a few thoughts on the subject. Nancy Morton, a member of First Baptist Church in Joplin, states that she is opposed to selling its building at 633 S. Pearl Ave. to City of Refuge Ministry. She states her reasons for her opinion. “I am very concerned about the quality of life in my neighborhood personally,” she states. She also said in the article that she believes an increase in transient people would cause crime in the area to increase.
My question to her would be: Have you ever read the police/court log pages in the Globe? Do most, if not all, of these people have addresses listed as well as their names and the nature of their crimes? How many times does the word “homeless” appear there as well? Not all crimes, or even the vast majority of them, committed on the streets of Joplin can be attributed to the homeless population.
She also states in the article, “I feel the location for their transition or transient housing can be better addressed.” Let me get this straight. Let’s help “these people,” only not in my neighborhood. If not in Joplin, then where?
I only have one other question for Ms. Morton. Have you ever gone to Soul’s Harbor, the Salvation Army, Watered Gardens, City of Refuge, or any other organization that serves the homeless population? Have you ever seen or talked with the women, children and families that these wonderful organizations help and serve 365 days a year? My only hope is that not all members of First Baptist Church in Joplin are as narrow-minded and prejudiced against those in need as you seem to be. After all, Jesus Christ was himself homeless. Let’s all keep that in mind. Shame on all Christians who by word or deed say, “Not in my neighborhood!”
Laura Gray
Joplin