Barbarosa & Tent City: What Connection?

My wife and I were watching the news this morning and a segment was dedicated to the now passed away race horse Barbarosa. If you have been in a hole for the past year, Barbarosa was a horse that won the Kentucky Derby (One of those big races) and in one of the following races broke his leg. After an incredible recovery, he broke the other leg and was just put to sleep. I do not know much about horse racing, but watching the segment had me feeling compassionate about the horse. It might have been because I grew up with horses in our backyard or it was just a very well put together piece.

Barbarosa... My Hero

Once the segment was over, my wife screamed out, "It's just a horse!". I was flabergasted. How dare she say such things. I bought into the story and she needs to understand that horses are part of God's wonderful creation and need just as much respect. Of course it wasn't worth an argument, so I quickly closed my gapping mouth. But when she further elaborated, alot of it did make sense.

What About The Tents?

The reality is that Barbarosa is a horse whom won a race and eventually had to be put to sleep, but here in the Tampa area, there is an enormous homeless situation that everyone is in an uproar about. There are at least dozens, maybe hundreds of people without homes, that have put up tent in the St. Pete/Tampa area. Known as Tent City, the situation escalated when the local police department went in and destroyed every tent. The people stink who then drive away business to their surroundings, the city doesn't provide any "safe" alternatives, the people have no where to go or anything to buy, and we do not desire to provide employment to a person who does not dress well to a job interview. In reflection, I do not believe that my wife had a problem about the news reporting the segment about Barbarosa, but all the letters which were sent to his wealthy owners when we haven't heard about one being sent to the men and women who had their personal property destroyed by the city.

Final Question

I do not want to sound like an idealistic activist, because I haven't done anything. Also, most of the letters to Barbarosa were sent by little girls who daily dream of owning a majestic stallion. It would probably have been just as sad if the horse's owners didn't receive any touching letters. Maybe the real question is how do we balance being real about human crisis and everyday touching stories?

Tags: Barbarosa, Tent City, News

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