This post has been updated

The recent violent attack against a homeless Oregonian that resulted in the arrest of three Milwaukee area teens is part of a growing trend of violence perpetrated against people who are homeless. Last year the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) documented 142 violent attacks against homeless people – including 20 murders, five rapes, and six people being set on fire. “Attacks have increased 65% from last year, and over 170% since five years ago,” according to NCH. These figures do not include “homeless-on-homeless” violence.

According to the NCH report Hate, Violence, and Death on Main Street USA: A Report on Hate Crimes and Violence Against People Experiencing Homelessness 2006:

“Even more disturbing than the violence of these attacks are the identities of the attackers and their motives. In a significant number of cases, the crimes were committed by teenagers and young adults, for no apparent reason other than boredom. This March in Orlando, FL, August Felix, age 54, was beaten to death by five teenagers. The youths, all between the ages of 13 and 16, attacked Felix and others ‘for sport,’ according to local police. Later that same month, 21-year-old Braymond Harris of Detroit was shot and killed by a 15-year-old boy. In the words of one Detroit police officer, the boy and his friends ‘just wanted to beat up a bum.’”

Much of this violence can be blamed on a culture that devalues people who are homeless. We step over homeless people every day on city streets. Voters often support efforts to cuts food and housing assistance for those living in poverty. Teen-agers buy videos like “Bum Fights” where producers pay intoxicated people to violently attack homeless people for the sport of it.

Jesus says in Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,* you did it to me.”

Attacks against people who are homeless are symptomatic of a spiritual crisis that has allowed us to make the “least of these” in America invisible and unimportant.

The National Coalition for the Homeless argues that attacks against people who are homeless ought to be considered hate crimes.

Update: OPB Radio is scheduled to run an interview with me about this issue today (Tues., Aug. 28th) between 4:30 and 5 pm.  You can listen on the radio or via their website.