Homelessness misunderstood by students
Justin Gero
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Ed-Op
- < prev Page 2 of 2
I mention poverty because it is inextricably linked to homelessness. When we cut funding for social programs we see an upward trend in both poverty and homelessness. Living in such extreme poverty with no public assistance means being just one illness, accident, or paycheck away from living on the streets.
Studying the problem has shown us that nearly half of all homeless women and children are fleeing domestic abuse, and have no other options left. 40 percent of homeless men have served in the armed forces; a disproportionately high number considering only 34 percent of the general adult male population has served. The NCH estimates that on any given night 271,000 veterans are homeless. In a cruel 'tribute' to their service we have ignored these people and stripped them of their dignity.
Many of these people have nothing left and no where to go. I'm not asking each individual to give your change to everyone on the street. This is not a problem we can solve by ourselves. We need a larger societal effort to push for long-term solutions, and better public support network to stop homelessness at its source.
We have to keep some perspective when we see people on the streets. Some may be insistent or annoying in asking for money, but we have to keep in mind that we are meeting many of these people at their lowest, most desperate state.
It's not as easy as simply "getting a job." We need to recognize that this is a large, and growing societal problem that can't simply be ignored as some students seem to suggest. We must recognize that the homeless are still human, and as such, deserve respect and a dignified life that the richest nation in the world has the power and the resources to offer.
Studying the problem has shown us that nearly half of all homeless women and children are fleeing domestic abuse, and have no other options left. 40 percent of homeless men have served in the armed forces; a disproportionately high number considering only 34 percent of the general adult male population has served. The NCH estimates that on any given night 271,000 veterans are homeless. In a cruel 'tribute' to their service we have ignored these people and stripped them of their dignity.
Many of these people have nothing left and no where to go. I'm not asking each individual to give your change to everyone on the street. This is not a problem we can solve by ourselves. We need a larger societal effort to push for long-term solutions, and better public support network to stop homelessness at its source.
We have to keep some perspective when we see people on the streets. Some may be insistent or annoying in asking for money, but we have to keep in mind that we are meeting many of these people at their lowest, most desperate state.
It's not as easy as simply "getting a job." We need to recognize that this is a large, and growing societal problem that can't simply be ignored as some students seem to suggest. We must recognize that the homeless are still human, and as such, deserve respect and a dignified life that the richest nation in the world has the power and the resources to offer.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Michael
posted 10/29/07 @ 6:34 PM EST
I already posted this under the aforementioned article, but its maybe even more relevant here.
I find it funny that you all miss the real point of Mr. (Continued…)
Lauren
posted 10/31/07 @ 10:39 AM EST
Simply put, giving people change as you leave a 7-11 will not get them a home. They're homeless; yes, they're people, and yes they're life is sad, but they don't belong on our campus. (Continued…)
Post a Comment