A Homeless Documentary

[jfcoop99]

Why can't my comment be seen?

[BababoCopyrights]

What is the difference between being a gypsey, transvient, backpacker, bohemian or a homeless person? Its probably all perspective. What does a home mean to that person? Is it a place to belong, or is it people to belong to, or is it feeling at home in your own skin? Personally it's the latter for me, I've been without people or place to belong to many times but I would never have called myself homeless. Sometimes sleeping on a hill is pretty awesome...

[MrDaniel199019]

i need to find a shelter for Clovis, CA, can anyone help me? im homeless, it's raining outside, im cold, my socks are wet. im at a public library right now, if anyone can help i would greatly appreciate it

[PurrGrrl]

@K5Colorado, it can appear on the surface that some choose 2b homeless but there is no real choice. It's a "Hobson's choice," meaning there is no real viable alternative. It's complex &diff to explain here but 4 exmpl., help is often given w/strings attached&most ppl don't like institutionalized settings where they r told what to do, how to live, etc.,shelters can b dangerous, meds don't solve complex psychological probs & many homeless nd help that isn't being provided 4 them.

[PurrGrrl]

seashithead, r u collecting welfare, SSI, food stamps, financial aid for college? If so, that is assistance u r getting from OTHERS, so u r not doing it by yourself. Do u consider that 2b a handout, or is it different when you are the one who's getting the help? Yes, there r ppl who'll say they choose to b homeless because they don't see a viable alternative to their situation.Empathy means imagining w/someone else's experience must b like, not assuming others can b just like us.

[PurrGrrl]

seashithead, no one is calling u stupid. Reptilian-base brain thinking is something we all engage in when under stress&our basic physical needs r not met. U r making lots of assumptions about me &those I've interviewed. U say u were good in science but r studying to be a plumber. Why not study to be an engineer? U may have gotten off the streets but u r still thinking like a homeless person. Lots of homeless will insist that other homeless r to blame 4their situation-but I'm different, they say

[K5Colorado]

Another angle that I believe would make a good documentary is why more people help animals in shelters without helping the homeless humans. It may be a little controversial but I believe it's a good exploration of "why people give".

[alaskagrown1993]

I always feel a srong need to help homeless people when I am older. But my mom is like ohh thats dangerous most of them are screwed up in the head and will attack you and they will just buy drugs with the money. If 1 out of the 5 people I help uses the money for food and necesities and it helps them ill be happy.

[PurrGrrl]

@alaskagrown1993 It's nice that u care. It's true many homeless ppl have drug or psych probs but not all. Some r battered wmn, ppl unable to pay medical bills or other debts, ppl who've lost their jobs, etc. They're the invisible hmless we don't always see. It's a complex issue &major chngs nd 2b made in r system 2 provide better safety nets 4 those in nd. 1 way to help is 4 us to b kind&giving 2 r nbrs when they're in nd. If a friend loses his job I cd invite him over 4dinner 4 example.

[PurrGrrl]

R basic physical needs-hunger, thirst, nd 4 shelter from inclement weather, nd for a hug (that's also a physical human nd) must be satisfied b4 we can think of higher, spiritual needs. If u have gone from homeless to having a home, congrats! But now it's time to change ur thinking from reptilian/homeless/base brain-i.e., he's to blame 4 his own problems-to a higher way of thinking, i.e., how do we all as a society create a reality that manifests poverty &homelessness&what can we do 2 change it?

[PurrGrrl]

It's interesting. Many homeless ppl will attack other homeless, saying they're lazy, don't want to work or have somehow caused their situation--but I'm different. I'm doing everything I can to change MY situation. Reality is, we need basic needs, food, clothing, roof over our heads b4 we're able to think higher thoughts. When we're struggling w/o basic necessities, as humans, we tend to go into reptilian-base brain thinking.

[PurrGrrl]

seashithead, what I'm trying to explain to u w/o resorting to personal attacks is that many homeless ppl do want w/their "core being" to have a better life but they feel powerless because the system in the US is set up to make it difficult for ppl to rise above their circumstances. Positive thinking is great but going into denial, pretending problems don't exist is dangerous&creates bigger problems. There is no shame in asking 4help or in giving to others in need.

[PurrGrrl]

seashithead, NO ONE chooses to be homeless. Judging by your spelling you made a conscious choice not to get an education yet by your own admission you are no longer homeless despite that choice. The "guy" u r criticizing actually went to college and worked hard to overcome his situation. That's the point he was trying to make, that our system is set up to make it difficult for ppl to overcome adversity. Giving to others, helping others is not "a hand out"--it's what makes us human!

[PurrGrrl]

seashithead, the "guy" u r referring to was no longer homeless at that time of the interview, so u r showing ur prejudice and ignorance right there. He is someone who overcame is situation. I interviewed PLENTY of homeless ppl who have the positive attitude u talk about and it keeps them homeless. Instead of getting angry and blaming the system they are blaming themselves and that is exactly what is keeping them down. Here's the correct spelling of hypocrite. Take a good look at yourself.

[jjohnnyjohnjohn]

The text is very informed -i work with street homelesness in Edinburgh Scotland

[vikidobe]

Sorry, I would like to listen, but the noise is too loud.

[TheEarthGypsy]

Thank you for posting this! I too am working on a project that aims to educate the public about homeless people and their situation and also to have programs that will allow homeless people find jobs,homes and financial help. Programs that will strive to stop and "cure" early stages of these slave/victim mentalities or learned helplessness.

Thank you again for posting this! Keep up the good work! We need more people like you.

Much love sista

[paulagloria]

I love your work

[rabbitholecentral]

ppl have a lot of misinformation....corporations are NOT the problem. It is capital distribution, the ability to earn based on ownership not labor. Good point about those who live two paychecks away from homelessness learning how to NOT be judgmental

[PurrGrrl]

Thnx 4 this thoughtful reply. And corporations lend themselves to corruption. They're entirely profit-focused. Most of the top corps r run by the richest families in the country--inherited wealth pretty much. Still, earned wealth can corrupt ppl too. Power corrupts and extreme wealth is power. And there's a big industry profiting from poverty--check cashing places, shelters--many of which charge the homeless to stay...

[Pooky514]

That is bullshit. Corporations are COMPLETELY responsible for just about every problem with our economy. Capitalism is a system that keeps the rich rich, and makes sure the poor stay poor. Americans need to wake up and realize just how damaging corporate business is (both to human life, and the condition of our planet). There needs to be revolution.

[rabbitholecentral]

you are very brave to take on this project...how did you come to it?

[PurrGrrl]

Been poor most of my life and lived in Los Angeles for a while--saw HUGE division betw rich and poor out there... Sadly, many Americans continue to believe that poor people are to blame for their situation. Too much judgment and very little empathy or compassion.

[navin4848]

Very nice documentary Meri. Keep it going!