Updated:

RIP ‘Lil Bit’: Chicago homeless rights community mourns one of its own

By
Bonnie Contreras, President, Chicago Union of the Homeless
1220
1

Latest

Noreen Lil Bit Morehead
Noreen “Lil Bit” Morehead
Photo / Adam Gottlieb

“Lil Bit [Noreen ‘Lil Bit’ Morehead] was a great woman who been through a lot of changes in life. But I know she was a strong and intelligent woman who cared about helping people, all people, especially the homeless people. She was a great poet and loved her children. She was a great friend and I will always carry her in my heart and continue the work she has done for our Union, that’s the Chicago Union of the Homeless.” — Bonnie Contreras, President, Chicago Union of the Homeless

Below is one of ‘Lil Bit’s’ poems:

I have to steal to get by
I have to panhandle to get by
Where’s my house
Where’s my food
I get tired of sandwiches and fruit
I like mashed potatoes, greens & steak
and something besides chicken
I try to keep warm with blankets and
clothes but we’re still dying because
that’s not enough / I hate seeing
people living in hallways and
doorsteps and in tents
where is their housing / give us all housing
how many homeless have to die before
somebody step in / to me this is modern
day genocide and who’s gonna pay
the elderly and homeless
help save us

— Noreen ‘Lil Bit’ Morehead

The life of homeless people
+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

David Bacon -

Poverty and Deportees on the Streets in Tijuana

In U.S. media, even progressive media, we pay little attention to what happens to people when they're deported. Many are dumped through the border gate, have no home to go to and live on the streets in cities like Tijuana.
Maureen Taylor, Michigan Welfare Rights -

White House Demands Return of Food Stamps Distributed In November

This month the White House demanded that Food Stamps distributed to eligible people must be retrieved because the distribution was "unauthorized."
Anonymous -

Undocumented Immigrants in Fear During Operation Midway Blitz

"I am scared. I’m scared for myself, my parents, my tios and tias, my whole family. We’re all vulnerable,” writes a Chicagoan about the terror of Operation Midway Blitz. "We're all vulnerable."
From the Editors, People's Tribune -

Mamdani Election and Others Offer a Light in the Darkness

From the editors: The recent election results, especially the election of Zohran Mamdani, offered a ray of hope for millions in America who have been struggling to survive economically and who are appalled by the rising fascism in the country.
Zohran Mamdani -

‘Hope is Alive,’ says New York City Mayor-Elect Mamdani

Read New York City's Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's acceptance speech following his victory in 2025 Elections.

More from the People's Tribune

Copyright © 2022 People's Tribune