A Short Story Of A Homeless Man

Homelessness in America has gone un-noticed for so long. For America to be the “land of opportunity” there is a large amount of people who have been deprived of what they were promised. There is so much this country offers, but at the same time there are so many qualifications. Not everyone can meet these standards that are sometimes required. This results in homelessness and poverty. Homelessness has become a hidden aspect in life. The government wants people to continue seeing America’s beauty. In order for that to be successful they would have to get rid of the flaws.

Homelessness is a serious problem in our society. Every night in our nation thousands of people are on the streets. This type of behavior is considered deviant because it does not reflect the norms and values of our society. In many cases the homeless people in our country are treated as total outcasts. Many of these people have severe mental disorders. Some are victims of an economy that has failed them. One may ask how such harsh situations exist in such an advanced society. With all the money and programs created to help people it seems ridiculous that this behavior exists. In a society where people have so much how is it possible that there are still people that have so little. The homeless are humans, no different than anyone else.

Homelessness affects millions of Americans each year, with approximately one third of this population suffering from severe mental disorders. In Las Cruces we have a number of homeless people that have a mental disorder. Las Cruces does not provide the homeless mentally ill with sufficient services. it is necessary to provide them with support, protection, treatment, and rehabilitation.

I cut him off. “I am done with this it is not going to help if you do not believe me.”

One of the major issues nationally is people who are becoming homeless and the fact that one third of the homeless population have served this country, which is around 195,000 veterans. Thats more than the death count of the Vietnam war. Most homeless people are male about three percent are women, most are single and come from disadvantaged backgrounds. It's a major issue, this is America there should not be thousands of people across this nation that are homeless especially our veterans. They gave their life to this country; I think in return we could at least keep them in a home somewhere. It wouldn't be so bad if their was actually enough shelters to occupy all of the people that are homeless but the ratio to

Southern Nevada’s total homeless rate shot up as unemployment rates continued to rise. This article informs readers of current statistics circulating homelessness compared to other states in the U.S. Amaro cites data from non-profit organizations to demonstrate this critical problem.

“I didn’t want that mad bat shit crazy motherfucker to see us dude, have you ever seen any start to any horror movie man, witnesses are always killed. Snitches get stiches bro.”

Based on reading the article, “Homeless Man Interviews Himself” by Albert Bliss, I have come to the conclusion that this is overall an example of Closed-Form Writing. I firmly believe that this article conforms to the basis of the closed-form writing style but it dabbles in the open-formed style of writing. There are several examples in the essay that convince me of this.

What thoughts have I tonight as I walk emptied handed and no one to be arm in arm with as I navigate the LA streets. I envy the young man wiping out on his skateboard. Look at the concern on the young woman’s eyes. She looks on with a frown. Still, he makes her laugh with his imitation of the Zombie’s walk. How much happiness is contained in the rivulets of his blood that hardens along the shin of his wounded kneecap?

I see homeless people every day near my home in North Oakland, CA. They live underneath the BART tracks and the Highway 24 overpasses that crisscross my neighborhood. Like many of us, I hold my breath, cast down my eyes, and pass by them as quickly as possible. But because John is an addict living on the streets somewhere nearby, I can’t completely ignore them. I glance up, search their faces, and look for recognition.

The old man sits in his same old position outside the bar, slumped over like a fallen tree. He begs for more of his precious drink as the rain showers down his long greasy hair. His dirty hands clasp a bottle of cheap wine. Dark grey eyes look sadly over a broken nose.

My friends often describe me as a cynic and a pessimist. For the most part, they're right. Sentiment loses value when it permeates one's attitudes and behavior just as the value of a commodity decreases as it becomes ubiquitous, so as a rule I reserve expressing sentiment for rare occasions that I deem worthy. Fortunately, even the harshest cynics are surprised sometimes.

The homeless stand down was an eye-opener experience for me. I had the opportunity to interact with several individuals, and one family. Initially I conducted some interviews with them to help complete the questionnaire; and the remainder of the time, I escorted the individuals and helped them choose items that were necessary for them. As I talked to each of them, I realized that the present state of these individuals were a product of the current economic situations. According to the National Homeless Coalition (2009), work factors are one of the many reasons why individuals are homeless. One of the individuals that I spoke to informed me that he was working a regular nine to five job at a construction site, but now due to the

I hear them get closer and closer as the porch creaks every step to the door. My heart feels like its pounding through my chest, and sweat is pouring off my face as I sprint in a panic. I hear the key turning and the door opening just as I jump out the window.

     Homelessness as an issue in today's society is largely ignored. To many, the problem of homelessness is invisible or barely noticed. When these people do see the homeless it is found in the form of beggars who need to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” or mentally ill people who “just can't help themselves”. In either case the central point remains; the homeless must be people who are incapable or unwilling to help themselves. After all, wouldn't they stop being homeless if they just tried? These sorts of rationalizations cover a more disturbing truth; that for many in today's society, the spectre of homelessness is more pressing of a problem than helping those who are already on the