Letter of the Day (Dec. 28): Homelessness

Photo of Carlos Santana, Marcus Malone shows a topic that needs attention year-round.

December 28, 2013 at 12:21AM
In this Friday, Dec. 20, 2013 frame grab from video provided by KRON-TV, famed rock guitarist Carlos Santana, left, greets his former bandmate Marcus Malone on the streets of Oakland, Calif. It had been decades since Santana had seen Malone, who now describes himself as homeless and living on the streets of Oakland. KRON-TV reporter Stanley Roberts ran into percussionist Marcus "The Magnificent" Malone while working on a story about illegal dumping. Although he initially was skeptical of the hom
Carlos Santana, left, greeted his former bandmate Marcus Malone recently on the streets of Oakland, Calif. The meeting was arranged by a television journalist. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

I was touched by the contrast of life's journey by the Dec. 24 picture and story of world-class musician Carlos Santana meeting with former bandmate Marcus Malone, now homeless. Marcus stated that he was ashamed to be seen by Santana.

Just as there are many paths to success, there are many paths to homelessness. The causes include depression, mental illness, broken relationships, poverty, drugs, alcohol, health problems and more. There has been a good charitable response during the holiday season, but a sustained effort is required throughout the year to make progress, lifting our neighbors to a better life.

We respect and honor all those who dedicate so much effort to improving the lives of the homeless among us.

MICHAEL TILLEMANS, Minneapolis
about the writer

about the writer

More from No Section

See More
FILE -- A rent deposit slot at an apartment complex in Tucker, Ga., on July 21, 2020. As an eviction crisis has seemed increasingly likely this summer, everyone in the housing market has made the same plea to Washington: Send money — lots of it — that would keep renters in their homes and landlords afloat. (Melissa Golden/The New York Times) ORG XMIT: XNYT58
Melissa Golden/The New York Times

It’s too soon to tell how much the immigration crackdown is to blame.