English 105
Professor Reyes
10 September 2015
Plight of the Homeless
Homeless men and women have been living on the streets of California and many other states for years. There are many misconceptions and stereotypes about the homeless, for example, all of them smell, they are all drug addicts, or they are too lazy to get a job. These stereotypes unfairly label the homeless. Some men and women who live on the streets either in their car, under over-passes, or on the sidewalk have physical or mental disabilities that stop them from going out and getting a job or doing things that a fully functional person can do on a daily basis. People and society should not ignore or discriminate against these people but should help them. - consider the shift in tone this single sentence creates by stating what a reader should or should not do.
-I'm moving these two sections here because these sections seem to logically make sense right after your 1st paragraph talks about stereotypes
There are many assumptions people make as they walk past or see a homeless man or woman, for example, "They don't wash" or "He must be a drug addict". Some homeless people take care of others as much or even more than they take care of themselves. Instead of making these assumptions, we should be taking notes from these few people based on the selflessness that they show to there fellow man. Just because a person is homeless does not mean that they have little or no respect for themselves or for others. This truly is shown by the men and women who are grateful to the people who have helped them. Sometimes people just need a little help to get back on there feet again.
-where do these negative representations come from? examples? to what extent to do they influence our interactions and support of those without a home?
A man named john, who has lived on the streets for years is a very kind, considerate and humble person. He is a Vietnam war veteran who suffers from post dramatic stress disorder and feels as though he must atone for what he has done during that war. The reason he became a soldier in the first place was because his brother was killed in action during the war, this prompted john to join the army. John feels as though is not being treated as a human being when he tries to speak to a person passing by and they completely ignore him. Unfortunately many people today also walk past a homeless person as though are not there rather than stopping by to help them. - what is John's purpose? to challenge the stereotype? to be an example of someone who doesn't deserve to be without a home? with this info you can clarify your description of him and make a stronger connection between his story and stereotypes or another point you are trying to make
In the past couple of years a few towns (towns makes me think of a small population) in California have been supporting the criminalization of the homeless (what does it mean to "criminalize" the homeless?). These cities (cities are different than towns-?) opposed a new bill that not only allowed but protected the homeless' right to eat and sleep in public (so what law is this? and what are the parts to it? info? sources?). I believe this is bill is necessary for the people living on the streets that are physically or mentally incapable of working (why is it necessary? we need to know what it is and what it will do and how much it will cost, etc. etc. to understand your perspective let alone agree with it).
-here you are transitioning into a new topic that could easily be its own section- what are the reasons that people become homeless and do these reasons matter? how do these reasons reinforce or challenge negative stereotypes or representations of those who are homeless?
Granted there are some men and women who are homeless who have problems with substance abuse and self neglect, not everyone living on the streets are there by choice and therefor should not be treated as though they are. They could be living there for a multitude of reason like loss of there house, inability to work, or even bankruptcy. Those people are the ones that should receive help because they are incapable of helping themselves.
There are many assumptions people make as they walk past or see a homeless man or woman, for example, "They don't wash" or "He must be a drug addict". Some homeless people take care of others as much or even more than they take care of themselves. Instead of making these assumptions, we should be taking notes from these few people based on the selflessness that they show to there fellow man. Just because a person is homeless does not mean that they have little or no respect for themselves or for others. This truly is shown by the men and women who are grateful to the people who have helped them. Sometimes people just need a little help to get back on there feet again.
-where do these negative representations come from? examples? to what extent to do they influence our interactions and support of those without a home?
A man named john, who has lived on the streets for years is a very kind, considerate and humble person. He is a Vietnam war veteran who suffers from post dramatic stress disorder and feels as though he must atone for what he has done during that war. The reason he became a soldier in the first place was because his brother was killed in action during the war, this prompted john to join the army. John feels as though is not being treated as a human being when he tries to speak to a person passing by and they completely ignore him. Unfortunately many people today also walk past a homeless person as though are not there rather than stopping by to help them. - what is John's purpose? to challenge the stereotype? to be an example of someone who doesn't deserve to be without a home? with this info you can clarify your description of him and make a stronger connection between his story and stereotypes or another point you are trying to make
In the past couple of years a few towns (towns makes me think of a small population) in California have been supporting the criminalization of the homeless (what does it mean to "criminalize" the homeless?). These cities (cities are different than towns-?) opposed a new bill that not only allowed but protected the homeless' right to eat and sleep in public (so what law is this? and what are the parts to it? info? sources?). I believe this is bill is necessary for the people living on the streets that are physically or mentally incapable of working (why is it necessary? we need to know what it is and what it will do and how much it will cost, etc. etc. to understand your perspective let alone agree with it).
-here you are transitioning into a new topic that could easily be its own section- what are the reasons that people become homeless and do these reasons matter? how do these reasons reinforce or challenge negative stereotypes or representations of those who are homeless?
Granted there are some men and women who are homeless who have problems with substance abuse and self neglect, not everyone living on the streets are there by choice and therefor should not be treated as though they are. They could be living there for a multitude of reason like loss of there house, inability to work, or even bankruptcy. Those people are the ones that should receive help because they are incapable of helping themselves.
Homeless people in a the United States need help and not only from the government, but from others. Bystanders should not sit back and watch these people suffer but should help in anyway they can if not financially. The government should help homeless men and women get back on their feet in some way whether it be giving them an identification card so they are able to apply for a job or putting more funding to feeding them so the don't die on the streets (IDs are currently being discussed- include sources that will back you up so that your readers believe you are a credible source) . A majority of the time I see a homeless man in need and am able to help, I do, either with some money or leftover food that I have in my possession at the moment. I feel an obligation to help the homeless because if I were ever in that position I would want someone to help me.
People who are not homeless can become homeless in an instant and no one is prepared for it. Anyone can end up in this situation and it is not always by choice. Just because a man or woman is homeless does not mean they are drug addicts, filthy, mean people; they can be kind, compassionate and grateful and some are. It is not a matter of "should we treat them better" or "should we help them because they're homeless, they are normal human being and we should all treat them as so.
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