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THEY SAY YOU’RE never more than six feet away from a rat. In Boston, you’re never more than six feet from a homeless person. I mean this not as a slur, but rather as a statement of empirical fact.
People lie everywhere, faces ashen, hands outstretched, a tired metaphor for an America long broken by the time Donald Trump decided he wanted to scratch “Become President” from his ham-fisted bucket list.
A quick Google search will tell you more than 33,000 families – families – have spent at least a night in a homeless shelter in Boston since 2008. It will tell you that the number of families with children experiencing homelessness has increased by nearly 29% Massachusetts since 2010. It will tell you nothing your eyes and ears already haven’t.
A privileged Irish student
As a privileged Irish student just over a month into an expensive summer J1, I can well appreciate the absurdity of writing an article decrying inequality and injustice, in America or anywhere else.
I am acutely aware that I am here with the financial aid of my parents, that this, as with so many of the opportunities I’ve been given, is the fruit somebody else’s money. In short, I do not have a leg to stand on. But I do not know how else to write this most conflicted of tales.
On the one hand, there are the nights out. Rapidly ascending towers of empty Four Loko cans, piled high in our basement-level apartment, offer blurry reminders of genuinely great nights spent with other J1-ers in Irish pubs and clubs.
Perhaps it is not the most culturally immersive of scenes, but it’s ours and I can’t help but love it. Admittedly, Boston’s draconian approach to youth drinking has proved a challenge to those of us as yet under the legal age, but we twenty year-olds are nothing if not resourceful and we have dealt with the problem in much the same way as every American of the same age: a fake ID, a straight back, and vast reserves of charm and persuasion. Bouncers don’t always agree.
I spend long days cleaning tables
By day, I work in a restaurant on the waterfront as a busser. The staff is comprised overwhelmingly of Irish J1-ers. The work may be dirty and often thankless, but there is a great atmosphere and the air is usually thick with laughter. Long days cleaning tables bleed into longer nights; the following morning’s alarm clock is cast firmly to the back of the mind.
Indeed, the back of the mind seems clogged these days, full of things too taxing to think about. It is a mindless fun we’re having, but it’s fun all the same – and therein lies the conundrum. The nagging guilt slithers.
The second weekend after I arrived in Boston, my mother sent me a strange text. In it she tentatively suggested that, being in Boston, I should consider doing other things, things I wouldn’t normally do, rather than just “doing what you’ve always done.”
She ended the text by saying “Could b (my mother is still a slave to cringe-inducing text-speak) that this is just fine but could also b that there’s an alternative.” I was baffled initially. I didn’t understand what she meant.
Should there be more than this?
Now, three weeks later, I know exactly. Since arriving in Boston, I have climbed the Bunker Hill Monument (the spectacular views at the top robbed me of breath even more than the 291-step ascent), drinking in the richest of historical tapestries. I’ve been to a baseball game (glorified rounders, but well worth experiencing as a raucously patriotic demonstration of American culture).
I’ve walked the 2.5 miles of the Freedom Trail. And, perhaps most enjoyably, I’ve sat on the sand of Carson Beach with friends watching the last embers of the day’s burning sun melt into a glittering sea.
But still there is the feeling that I should be doing more, that for the most part I have done what I’ve always done: I’ve had a laugh, drunk too much, lost half the day to late nights and lie-ins. Should there be more than this?
Is it wrong that I’m loving it, this hedonistic holiday lifestyle where – some days – the mere act of washing my clothes becomes an achievement, evidence of a productive day’s work?
The fourth of July has been and gone. I worked solidly through the day, missing out on the fireworks. At half eleven, after the last loved-up American couple finally awoke from their doe-eyed reverie and realised that everyone else had cleared out of the restaurant an hour previously, we finally escaped into the American night.
I headed straight to an American Frat Party on a rooftop where I entered into a drunken debate with an American Tea-Party Republican about the merits and evils of American free-market capitalism. Happy fourth, eh?
I could be making slightly more of this privilege
How easily I can justify to myself the lifestyle I appear to be embracing depends largely on how much I work in any given week. This fluctuates. I worked twenty-eight hours last week; this week I am on course for fifty-five. The latter regime leaves me – genuinely – drained on my days off, good for little but eating and sleeping and sitting on the couch (and chipping away at sub-standard articles about my travels). It is in the barren weeks – which have been mercifully few – that the nights of drinking and the late morning lie-ins begin to seem wilfully self-indulgent.
Today is my one day off this week. I had planned on risking a haircut – American barbers are notorious for eschewing the traditional razor in favour of a lawnmower – and celebrating the weight taken off my head by going hiking, but Murphy’s Law ensured that it is raining for the first time in two weeks. So instead I sit indoors, staring at interspersing rivulets snaking down the window pane and trying to write the story of my J1 so far.
And I’m quite happy to do so. Because for all that the sight of people less fortunate than me acts as a guilt-inducing reminder of the privilege of my position, for all that I know I could be making slightly more of this privilege, I am still having an incredible time in an amazing city. And that will do for now.
Donal MacNamee is a third year student of English Literature and History at Trinity College Dublin. He is originally from Limerick and is in Boston for the summer on a J1 visa.
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My god there are some bitter, bitter people on here. For me, that was an eloquently written, brave article, written in the full knowledge that it would leave him open to ridicule but written anyway. You’d swear none of you ever had a day of fun in your life. Try sticking your collective heads above the parapet once in a while and see if you’re so quick to ridicule a young lad who’s putting himself out there.
@Lurfic: close relation?
@Lurfic: tax payer expense?
@james connolly: nope, just hate begrudgery and people being abused for having the balls to share their experiences.
@Lurfic: begrudgery? he sahed his experience and i shared my experience from reading the nonsense
@james connolly: he’s a 20 year old who is working hard and trying to advance his career by writing an article. He also happens to be having a bit of fun. I’m appalled by some of the comments. It’s no wonder we’re so reliant on foreign multinationals in Ireland as anyone who sticks their neck out gets this kind of begrudgery thrown in their face.
Great article, YOUR living YOUR life, make no apologies and enjoy it.
@Stephen Maher: terrible self indulgent crap, but at least the author has the decency to suggest throughout that he is full of himself
@Stephen Maher: Kind of awkward that the grammar error is in capitals.
@Sarah Murphy:
Nothing awkward about it,
Unfortunately Sarah i wasn’t born with a silver J1 in my mouth, I had to work form the age of 15 so until predictive text came along i signed my name as an X.
TANKS for the education but im fairly sure your stating the obvious.
@james connolly:
Its a pity you dont show any of that decency.
@Stephen Maher: You needed predictive text to tell you how to spell your own name? Good job you weren’t born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you’d have probably swallowed it and choked.
Great article. I think we’ve all questioned at different times whether we’re “making the most” of our time, or could be doing more. College summers are over before you know it, enjoy every minute
Lovely article – very well written
@james connolly: nice article, well written. Considering the level of literacy I see most days from generation begrudge, I’m delighted and heartened to see this.
Very well written article, Christ the comments above show how much of a black hole the journal comments section is some times. How bitter do you have to be to give such abuse over a simple article?
@Eoghan Mac: my thoughts exactly. The reintroduction of red thumbs would help, people making stupid comments would probably get twice as many red as green but because they comment early it looks like everyone agrees with them.
@james connolly: I think you might be referring to yourself there James !
@Eoghan Mac: totally agree with you, the level of bitterness in some comments is truly shocking, some people just can’t stand other people’s success/achievements/happiness, in other words, they are only happy themselves when throwing abuse at others or finding as much negativity as possible. Well done to this writer, one can see the talent coming across in the piece he wrote. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
I’m looking at some interspersing rivulets out the bleedin window meself
@No one: Was the article writer really there or just lost??
“watching the Sun melt into the glittering sea” sitting on carson beach on the east coast looking east? The sun over here sets in the west..
@Diaspora’d: picked up in that myself, third year trinity student and yet he does not know where the sun sets and what an empirical fact is, most worrying.
@Paul Fahey:
1: Part of that beach faces south west.
2: The author describes evidence that he has himself observed using his senses, which is the definition of empirical.
So who doesn’t know what eh??
Get off your high horse and do some research before ridiculing a young lad.
@Lurfic: Irish people are supposed to good with geography. There is no way you can sit on any part of Carson beach and watch the sun set in the ocean. Even if you’re looking south west. The sea is between you and the coast.
@Paul Fahey: he is a literature student, i doubt he knows what a fact is
@Diaspora’d: I’ll admit that his phrasing is a bit clumsy, but the point about him watching the sunset stands. I just think you were being mean spirited. No need for it.
Not to sure of the point of the article but perhaps the guilt you are feeling for your easiness of life could be a sign telling you to give more, perhaps even instead of debating over a haircut, volunteer at the homeless shelter, learn what true empathy is and the meaning of it in human form, to help others. Don’t make a meal of it, feel the urge to help, the inequality of life for some and just do it! Bring something tangible back to your home, a true passion for others, real empathy. Have fun too! You would be surprised at the interesting people you will work with in this area!
@Elaine Tok Tok:
Great comment. The reality that he feels guilt, unjustifiably so as really he has no reason to, is a sign of a compassionate person. Your suggestion in giving some time working with the homeless is very practical as this seems to be the root of his psychological misgivings.
@Mark DeFriest: I actually think that this kid gives me hope for the future rather than our fear of our future snowflake generation. This guys feels what he should, he sees the injustices of life and knows that it is wrong. The trick is to act on that human instinct, don’t ignore it and then become desensitised to it. Act, educate and learn. Don’t be a do gooder ( excuse the slang) just learn to do good!
Sounds like an American Santa ponsa
Good on you . You are young ,single and not strapped down by mortgages or babies . Have a ball and enjoy every minute of your time . You obviously are hard working and intelligent and have great parents . Ignore the haters and the jealous trolls at home . You are only young once and soon will be back in College studying so don’t feel guilty about one minute of fun you are having . Life is short , very short for some. I wish I had done the same at your age and in years to come let your own children enjoy the same privilege that you have been given. Good luck and raise a glass for me
Best of luck to you Donal on your travels and discoveries! I envy you and can recall my own J1 days with aching nostalgia.
If you get the odd free day to yourself you should volunteer at one of the homeless shelters.
Good luck and enjoy!
Some pile of bitter cu-n-ts here. Give the lad a break. At least he can write English in some sort of correct manner and is making an effort to express something.
What a load of very bitter comments on here, really awful.
@Jun Stone: look it’s not bitter, not on my part anyway! This guy seems like a good kid, who feels. The trick is to go with that, act of those feelings and it will build character, make you a better person etc…. I am nearly 40, work in care all my life and intend to give my own two kids work experience in care work. It is good for young people to experience what it feels like to really give. I hope the author has a great time on his j1 and takes something good back with him, safe travels.
@Lurfic: okie doke, point taken. I live in America and I have to say the Irish J1 visitors are great and for the most part do Ireland proud.
Little wonder than traffic to the RTE news app is climbing. As usual, the journal comments section embarrasses itself with the need to start an argument.
Put down your keyboards and hand-lotion and get out in the fresh air.
I bet this guy finds those “Mr Cian Twomey” and “Sir Stevo Timothy” videos hilarious.
Ah Jaysis in all fairness when I was his age i was going halfos on ten Johnny blue, drinking cans at the weekend, tryna get back with me mot, while wondering, when for Jaysis sake is me ma gonna stop reckin me bleedin head.. He has his work cut out for him to catch up,l… spanner…
I keep seeing snowflake generation. Anyone care to elaborate?
@Rachel Durack Murray: It’s a blanket term often applied to those under the age of 35, also labelled the millennial generation. Its seen as a derogatory term, making reference to a supposed sense of self importance (each individual snowflake is completely unique after all), but is most often deployed when confronted by “liberal” type behaviour. In reality its another lazy generalisation, favoured by the alt-right, Trumpeteers, and assorted internet trolls.
@Shane McGettrick: Thanks Shane. I may be flaky at times but I am no snowflake!
Donal.
Guilt is a crisis of conscience. An unavoidable companion on the highway of life. You’re Irish. It’s in your DNA. Cmon, own up, what have you been up to? You’re not telling us the whole story now are you Donal.
Here’s the address of Boston Cathedral. 1400 Washington St.
Head up there during the week and go to confession and cleanse yourself of this nagging guilt then face up to the consequences of your sinful actions once and for all as many an Irishman has done before you,
Be a man about it Donal.
God bless you.
Enjoy it. Very well written article. Enjoy life
I’m not really sure what the point of the article was!!.
I’n the last 4 years, I’ve been to 19 countries, spent 2 years in Thailand, coming up on a year in Australia and now am considering the next move. ‘the guilt’ never leaves you, no matter if it is a holiday, working holiday or working in a 3rd world country both for the country your in and the country your away from.
At the end of the day, we are the lucky ones that are able to travel, see new countries and experience new things. Guilt (like home sickness,visas and forgetting what time it is at home) just becomes part of your life, weather it’s for a homeless person or a wedding you missed. Enjoy it and live it up – as I said we are the lucky ones and should relish in that every day
You don’t have to go to Boston to see homeless people live in the real world
@Anastasia: oh, did he say you did have to? I must have missed that part of the article.
So he on an east coast beach and watched the sun set into the sea???… Riiiiiiiiight
He’s written an article & gotten it published Now will he come back here & clean tables or will he come back here & sign on the dole.
If I were you young man….that something different you’re looking for would include working with some homeless. Enjoy your trip, you’re very lucky
Sub standard? Yep. Lucky? Yes & no. Male comments favourable, female unfavourable. Women win. It’s the use of grammar & language. 3rd yr tcd? We’re f*****d. So maudlin so pedestrian so banal. so Irish-centric. Please stop writing. U need the rest (55 hrs! WOW. WOW. Handsome dude tho. But that’s it ..
Sub standard? Yep. Lucky? Yes & no. Male comments favourable, female unfavourable. Women win. It’s ur use of grammar & language. 3rd yr tcd? We’re f*****d. So maudlin so pedestrian so banal. so Irish-centric. Please stop writing. U need the rest (55 hrs! WOW) handsome dude tho. But that’s it
Sub standard? Yep. Lucky? Yes & no. Male comments favourable, female unfavourable. Women win. It’s the use of grammar language. 3rd yr tcd? We’re f*****d. So maudlin so pedestrian so banal. so Irish-centric. Please stop writing. U need the rest (55 hrs! WOW. WOW. handsome chap tho. But that’s it
Sub standard? Yep. Lucky? Yes & no. Male comments favourable, female unfavourable. Women win. Ur use of language so lr middle class. 3rd yr lit tcd? We’re f*****d. So maudlin so pedestrian so banal. so unaware. so Irish-centric. Please stop writing. U need the rest (55 hrs! WOW. WOW. ZOWIE.) Handsome chap tho.
Sub standard? Yep. Lucky? Yes & no. Male comments favourable, female unfavourable. Women win. It’s the use of grammar & language. 3rd yr tcd? We’re f*****d. So maudlin so pedestrian so banal. so Irish-centric. Please stop writing. U need the rest (55 hrs! WOW.) handsome dude tho. But that’s it.
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