The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Letters To The Editor
PUBLISHED: August 14, 2008
'Hobo' isn't viewed
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as a derogatory term
In particular, this letter is to the attention of the woman who left a call at the Southern Michigan Railroad Society's museum without leaving her name or phone number and spoke on the issue of dressing as a "hobo" for a special event at the railroad on Aug. 8. Her comment indicated that our request to "dress as a hobo" was offensive and insensitive to the numbers of individuals who are homeless in America.
Too often we all jump to stereotypical images and see the image of a hobo as shabbily dressed with holes in the shoes, and a hand out begging for food, which is further from the historical truth.
There is no real way to visually describe who is or isn't a hobo as they have no uniform nor style of dress. In fact, most are dressed in long-sleeved shirts and denim pants, and a ball cap with work boots the norm. They carry some sort of backpack with their extra clothes, utensils and food. They are mostly men -- there are women too -- who have chosen this wandering lifestyle.
Most hobos are not homeless. Many have left families to find work in other towns, and most all hobos worked for food or a place to sleep at night. There is quite a distinction between a hobo and a "tramp" or "bum," who also traveled, but who rarely worked, preferring to beg or steal.
Some hobos left because they didn't want to be bound by time schedules, or homes, or job expectations, and wanted to live, sleep and travel where they wanted. Most know where seasonal work crops up and travel to those areas, which have existed since the founding of this country and mostly involve agricultural work.
To get from one place to another quickly was by jumping on board a train and hopefully not getting caught by the railroad police.
A code of honor exists among hobos that includes respect of local law and officials, and if someone was in a vulnerable situation whether they are locals or other hobos, not to take advantage of them.
If no employment was available, then they made work developing their own talents and crafts. They pitched in and helped others and don't allow other hobos to molest children, reporting them to authorities. In fact, many hobos talked with runaway children to induce them to return home.
And, they didn't like it any more than you or I to run around in dirty clothes or without a bath. They made use of facilities to take care of these matters.
The history of railroading includes many adventures, including the hobos living in camps along the rail line. Designed with a little fun, after all, who ever heard of "Hobo Pizza," this event was created to provide the public with history of railroading while ushering in our 26th year of operating a railroad museum in Lenawee County.
Our world has cancer patients running in marathons, physically challenged children displayed on posters, and clowns painting faces at hospitals and festivals, all designed to raise money for charitable causes. These activities also may be considered offensive and insensitive to some individuals who lost a family member with cancer or has a child needing serious help. But without the real knowledge behind the program, are you really able to just leave your thoughts on the answering machine without your name or phone number to call you back?
The Southern Michigan Railroad Society recognizes the homeless population and others in need, and has since Sept. 11, 2001, held charitable donation trains to help with food stores and stockings for holiday baskets. During our Grandparents Weekend train excursions Sept. 6 and 7, we will be asking our passengers to bring can goods in exchange for discounted train fares as we again give back to our communities.
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