The Less Fortunate

          In “The Meanest Cities”, the editors of America Magazine claim that our society is constantly making new laws against the homeless people in efforts to refining our society. This is generating a social barrier which makes the homeless even more vulnerable to discrimination and injustice. According to the editors of America Magazine, “Nationwide, there have been a 12- percent increase in ordinances that prohibit begging in public spaces” (543). They state that cities like Sarasota-Florida, Atlanta-Georgia and Lawrence-Kansas have pass irrational laws that criminalize daily life activities of the homeless. These laws prohibit or limit sitting, eating or sleeping in public spaces including sidewalks and bus stations. They also state that in the city of Atlanta- Georgia it is a crime to accept food from charities in public spaces and those who disobey the law could face up to a two thousand dollar fine.    

            In “Throw the Bums Out: But Do So with Compassion- Coolidge-Style Compassion ”  John Derbyshire alleges that the homeless are an “appalling vagrancy problem”(543).  While at his visit to the new Asian Art Museum in San Francisco he witnessed the conditions of the places the homeless inhabit and became appalled. Derbyshire stated “the new library built …cost …$137 million”(543), he argues that it is not fair that the city spend so much money trying to beautify the communities and the homeless simply take over the public spaces and trash and vandalize the surroundings. The author argues that the homeless are an out of control problem that can no longer be tolerated. The view points of this author are extremely harsh; he views the homeless as the rotten fruits of our society.

               In "Brother, Don't Spare A Dime" Christopher Awalt argues that the homeless have become "a danger to public safety." He believes that the majority of homeless people are lazy and that they chose their lifestyles. He also addresses those few exceptions to his beliefs and says that they are "responsible citizens" who are off the streets in a short period of time. He bases his argument  on his one time experience he had with an older man who he help get off the streets and he ended disappointing him by becoming homeless again.

          The article I agree the most is “The Meanest Cities” by the editors of America Magazine. I think that there are   very complex situations in life that make homeless people be in their circumstances. Some of this situation might be due to mental illness, domestic violence, substance abuse, decline in public assistance, disintegrating work opportunities and the lack of affordable housing . I think that we have to provide more help for the less fortunate; we can do this by having preventing programs that help those who are about to loose their house or lost a job, etc.

       Near the Topanga mall I always see this old man with his dog; he always stays near the same places. He has a little cart with all of his belonging and he always has his dog with him. He really touches my heart because even though he might not have food or shelter he always keeps his companion dog with him. I have always wanted to come up and give him money or something but usually when I see him I’m in the car going somewhere. There was this one time that I went to In-N-Out and he was outside and it was a hot day I was going to buy him something to eat and then I noticed somebody had already bought him a drink and food. The old man did something that I though was really sweet; he came and filled his dog’s water bowl and then he went back inside to get his food.

 

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