"Uncivilized we call him, but I just saw him eat off the food we waste"

"Uncivilized we call him, but I just saw him eat off the food we waste." - "Mister Wendel," Arrested Development

So yesterday for the second day in a row I saw some people going through the trash after the grocery store had closed picking out food that was still good to take with them - lettuce, strawberries,... It's not the first time I've seen people do this but it's been a little while. Somehow their actions beg my respect. I mean I would have a hard time going through the trash looking for food unless I was really in need. But the thing that strikes me is that they're not begging for food, they're going out and finding it and using what we waste. It made me think of the Arrested Development song, "Mr. Wendel," which I've always liked although it's been years since I last heard it.

Then today as Bekah helped me take out an extra, unwanted, less than perfect bed frame for which I have no room in my city apartment, I was greeted below by some gypsies who asked if I had any metal I was throwing out. I didn't, but I LOVE that most of the time that I pitch something that could actually be of use to someone else, it often is picked up and taken home (or resold) by someone else. And again it made me think about these people who reuse what we see as waste, or unwanted.

I've always been a fan of trying to live fairly simply, not making much waste, recycling, reusing,... but I AM completely thankful that some of the waste that is fully reusable doesn't go to waste and I have a huge respect for these people who humble themselves to go through the waste of the grocery store in hope of finding perfectly good food.

Interestingly (from a anthropological perspective) in my neighborhood the only people I've seen fishing through the trash for food are South or Latin Americans. It is curious to me since there are plenty of people who beg on the street, many who are Spanish or European of some sort. And then there are the people that sell illegal stuff and bootlegged cds and dvds, who tend to be African and once in awhile South American. Most South American immigrants, however tend to work the menial jobs of caring for the elderly or children, or more blue collared work. Asians tend to set up their own dollar stores or quick shops. I know these are completely broad stereotypes, but since Spain is still fairly homogeneous, unfortunately race stereotypes tend to be generally correct (including those about Americans). As I rode the metro home the past couple days, however, I have been pleasantly surprised that these generalities were being challenged and seemingly seem to be changing. So, just to rest calmly, while these generalities are easy to make, I don't like that that is true nor do I like the fact that there is still very much a hierarchy of races in Spain. So, don't get me wrong, these are just observations.
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"Mister Wendel" Arrested Development

Go ahead, man

Here, have a dollar
In fact no, brother man, here, have two
Two dollars means a snack for me
But it means a big deal to you
Be strong, serve God only
Know that if you do, beautiful heaven awaits
That's the poem I wrote for the first time
I saw a man with no clothes, no money, no plate
Mister Wendal, that's his name
No one ever knew his name 'cause he's a no one
Never thought twice about spending on an old bum
Until I had the chance to really get to know one
Now that I know him, to give him money isn't charity
He gives me some knowledge, I buy him some shoes
And to think blacks spend all that money on big colleges
Still most of y'all come out confused

Go ahead, Mister Wendal
Go ahead, Mister Wendal

Mister Wendal has freedom
A free that you and I think is dumb
Free to be without the worries of a quick to diss society
For Mister Wendal's a bum
His only worries are sickness and an occasional harassment
By the police and their chase
Uncivilized we call him
But I just saw him eat off the food we waste
Civilization, are we really civilized
Yes or no, who are we to judge
When thousands of innocent men could be brutally enslaved
And killed over a racist grudge
Mister Wendal has tried to warn us about our ways
But we don't hear him talk
Is it his fault when we've gone too far
And we got too far 'cause on him we walk
Mister Wendal, a man, a human in flesh
But not by law
I feed you dignity to stand with pride
Realize that all in all you stand tall

Go ahead, Mister Wendal
Mister Wendal, yeah
Yeah, Mister Wendal
Mister Wendal, yeah, Lord

Mister Wendal

Mister Wendal
Mister