Despite his death being years ago, much-loved actor Robin Williams is still inspiring people with the words he spoke during his lifetime. The star of such shows and movies like Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Morning Vietnam, Good Will Hunting and Mork and Mindy, was outspoken on issues such as mental health and poverty and, in particular, the plight of homelessness.
It is known that Williams would often refuse to work on a project that didn't hire some homeless people, but he also spoke out on the issue more publicly, testifying on homelessness before the U.S. Senate in 1990.
The C-SPAN clip is now going viral again online. In the hearing, Williams says:
"What we've been doing for the last four years is basically putting a band-aid on a very gaping wound. But this program has incredible possibilities to deal with basically keeping people in their homes. The problem cannot be denied anymore, we cannot be a kinder, blinder nation. I do believe this can work in an incredible way, from a grassroots level, that the money can get to that and prevent, truly prevent, homelessness, that's where it lies. You can't keep picking people up, you have to stop them from falling."
He went on:
"That's what I hope, thank you. I thank all of you in a bipartisan way, I know it's a little scary having a comic in front of you, it's kind of like having a porcupine in a haemophiliac ward. I present just my simple soul and hope you do continue this in a bipartisan way. Homelessness is not irreversible. With politics and moral commitment, a massive increase in affordable housing, and the types of social services that are envisioned in the act, homelessness can and should be eliminated."
Willaims went on to raise $80 million via comic relief to tackle issues related to poverty and homelessness.
Zelda Williams, Robin's daughter, also tweeted the recently viral clip, saying:
"Folks wonder why I bring up charities like homeless shelters on his birthdays. This. He loved the homeless & hated homelessness, same way he loved our soldiers (of whom a tragic amount wind up homeless) but hated wars. This was 1990. It's gotten worse. We have to do better. In case this takes off while I'm sleeping like some of these posts do, if you're a news agency that's gonna try to turn this into a clickbaity story, at least link to some related charities he loved, like @GLIDEsf or @wwp. Check on your local emergency food pantry. Please."
During the height of America's homelessness crisis in the 90's — Robin Williams asked if he could testify before the Senate.
— Goodable (@Goodable) April 13, 2021
Whoopi Goldberg was by his side.
It's the most powerful two minutes you'll see today... pic.twitter.com/y1yiTRQUfd
[h/t: Upworthy]
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