There is a huge homeless population in Nashville; you can see people begging on most street corners, huge groups sitting in the shade at parks on a hot day and individuals sitting by store windows each with a unique sign. The best one I've seen so far said, "Too old to beg, too young to strip."

There are many issues that homeless people deal with: a lack of hygiene, limited social interaction and the obvious issue of a lack of food and shelter. The biggest issue however, in my opinion, is that homelessness makes people uncomfortable. In most cases, people tend to keep their eyes down and not acknowledge the person sitting behind the sign for fear of any interaction with this individual, as if the interaction itself is contaminated.

In most places, but especially the South, it is customary to greet people as you pass by. If you saw a gentleman in a suit on his way to work, or a lady pushing a baby stroller, the natural instinct is to smile and acknowledge them, if not emitting a full "hello" or "good afternoon." That’s just what people do. So, here's my question:

When do people stop being people?

Is it when they can't feed themselves? Is it when their clothes become rumpled and dingy? Is it when they can't shower and develop a less-than-ideal aroma? Is it when they have to put their dignity aside and ask others for help?

I'm pretty sure none of these factors negate the identity of being a person. They're still humans. Which means when you walk by and go out of your way to not acknowledge someone, it's kind of inhumane.

Sometimes the interaction is uncomfortable because you can't always give them what they're asking for, but here's what you can give them: attention. Acknowledgement. "You're a person and I see you."

If you're driving and pull up to a corner where there's a homeless person, smile and, wave at them. Even if you can't give them anything, at least give them the respect of treating them like a person instead of instinctively looking at your phone until the light turns green.

Homeless people get a bad rep these days. I hear "They’re too lazy to get jobs" or "They're just going to use it to buy drugs, alcohol or cigarettes." And for some people, that's right. But why let the few bad apples ruin your compassion for the rest of the population? Choose to have faith in people, to give them the benefit of the doubt. If nothing else, everyone has to eat, so keep $5 fast-food gift cards on you to give someone when you stop at those lights or see someone on a street corner.

There's an amazing organization in Nashville that I've had the opportunity to work with indirectly, Room in the Inn. I'm currently transcribing interviews of homeless artists in the area who have worked on the Nashville Quilt Project and they are amazing individuals... that most people just walk by.

I'm no saint, and I'm just as guilty of making assumptions and judgments as everyone else, but I've tried to be better about it with regards to people who are just down on their luck. I try to remember that these individuals are someone's brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, daughters and sons, and that they deserve the respect of being acknowledged, because they're people, just like us.

Homelessness can happen to anyone. So, next time you're walking down the street and see a homeless person, don't just walk by. Smile and say hi. It makes more of a difference than you think.