Eulogy for Matt Day

Latest

pt.2016.05.05_mattdaySAN FRANCISCO, CA —In November of 2015, we lost a good man. No one knew it because he was homeless. The man’s name was Matt Day, or Mad Matt, as we called him. He died alone and cold in San Francisco. Because he was homeless, we did not find out. We had to look. And he deserved more than that.
Matt cannot be described in the space I have. His story is bigger than a few words. He helped cause change. He had an effect. And only a few know. Matt was totally insane when I first saw him. He was filthy and smelly, running around yelling at no one. We were at the Occupy encampment in San Francisco. After it was destroyed, Matt participated in the 9-month occupation of the Federal Reserve.
During that occupation, we got to know him. And he was accepted into our community as he was. And then it happened. He changed. He was no longer yelling and angry, he was happy and laughing. He cleaned up. He started drawing. And he was good at it. Very good.
So, my friend, rest and know, you showed me community can heal. Acceptance is all you ever needed. And I took that lesson to heart. I helped found ‘First They Came for the Homeless’ in hopes of duplicating that healing and spreading this lesson. And I have. Thank you for that.

+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

1 COMMENT

  1. Mike Zint, I’m looking for Matt Day? I’m a retired professor here in Savannah Ga. I first met Matt fishing in Petersburg Alaska, in late 80’s we became friends! After I left Alaska I went back to NM, after a few years at UNM I decided to work on my MFA in photography at SFAI in SF, on Chestnut St, while there I went to a lecture one evening at SFAI and low and behold I run into Matt Day! We continued our friendship, until I left SF to teach here in Georgia! I often think of Matt Day, he used to record sounds of everything! From man made to nature sounds, Matt should be in his late 50’s early 60’s Artist, my name is Zig jackson my email is rbuffalo@earthlink.net I still live in Savannah please let me know

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

‘We Need Urgent Global Climate Action’

Eighty-nine percent of people worldwide want their governments to do more to address the global climate crisis. Conference on tipping points says situation is urgent. Meanwhile U.S. govt does more to boost fossil fuel forms of energy.

May Day 2025: United We Will Win

International Worker’s Day is celebrated on May 1st around the world. Today, the entire U.S. working class, of which immigrants comprise an integral part, is under attack. The defense of immigrants is vital to the defense of the entire working class.

White School Officer Pepper-sprayed and Kneed Black Beaumont, TX Student, Complaint says. Will Feds Act?

A 6-second video, recorded by a teacher and reviewed by the Texas Observer, shows an officer grabbing a student’s hair, kneeing her in the face, and knocking the 100-pound girl on her back.

Pope Francis Dies After Easter Plea to End War in Gaza

"In his final public message, Pope Francis decried the “terrible conflict” in Gaza.

Bring Union Brother Kilmar Home: His Deportation Is an Attack on All of Us

The deportation of union brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a gut punch to the labor movement, a slap in the face to every worker who dares to organize.

More from the People's Tribune