Andre, a Downtown LA homeless man, Speaks Out.

[jburr36]

People who do not want to be homeless usually find a way off the streets real quick. Do not trust any homeless person. They are con artists. They have no respect for anybody else or for private property. Nothing but them is going to get them off the streets. They are vermon. Don't ever trust them.

[ISingBetterThanMJ]

@jburr36 Nah! They don't!

[jburr36]

I was homeless for 10 years. I tell you people that most of the homeless are homeless by choice. There are a lot of people that appear to be homeless and panhandle but they do have a roof over their head. IF someone ended up homeless not by choice there are several social programs out there to get them off the streets. The rest that stay homeless by choice choose drugs, alcohol or are simply avoiding law enforcement because they are wanted. and some are convicted criminals under the radar.

[ISingBetterThanMJ]

@jburr36 Nah!  You were not!

[asoka2000]

I don't buy into his crap, people like him can go to social services and receive a cheque every month for a placee to stay.

He complains how some of these places that are for homeless people like himself are shit with the way they treat others, religion being forced on them, but is living on the street is shit too, so how is it any better ?

He talks about how if you don't want to give money just say no, it's easy to say but often the homeless get all uptight and aggressive, making some scared.

[MrBubbaGump69]

articulate and honest, what more can you ask for, we need more people like this in our government

[TangoDownProduction]

It's amazing, he has great speech, appears to be educated and very well articulated. It just goes to show, you can't always judge homeless people. They are just trying to live their life and be free.

[GoaTseTung]

Wow, he's great. :)

[tickyul]

Schizophrenics are a tough one, rulings on both the state and federal level make it very hard to involuntarily commit these people, many will not take medications when it is up to themselves.

[Zyworski]

His plea for more help for mentally ill is heartfelt, but there is no cure and the doctors over medicate. It has been my observation that schizophrenic individuals miss one dose and it is like popping the cork on a champagne bottle. Smaller doses taken more frequently are more likely to get compliance and they don't go psychotic when they miss a dose. There needs to be other magnets besides food and shelter to attract the homeless to help. Recent jail releases make bad staff and create a hostile

[ZeroFiftyNine]

It's a choice between fear and love ...

[CupisHomines]

but anyways, i still think that you guys NEED to leave the city. see how much more freedom you got down a country back-road. beware of coyotes and shit though. it can be pretty dangerous, but it's not as dangerous as the city with ppl driving like assholes and shootin' each other up like crazy! And much, much quieter too.

[CupisHomines]

I think they ought to take a lot of these tax-deliquent properties and build 'em a giant sod-house -- which they would be responsible for maintaining -- and let them stay there. Otherwise give 'em a copy of FM 21-76. I guarantee that that book will change their lives!

[pbsucksdonkeycock]

Pass a law that forbids homeless people to walk the streets. Most will go away the rest you lock up in a home/prison/mental hospital. Problem solved!

[laoneday]

What a beautiful singing voice!

[JessicaNatv]

He is a very intellectual man! He changed my perspective of how I should look at the homeless.

[asianDRAMAfanatic]

he seem intelligent. he totally changed how i look at the homeless.

[c0peh]

He sings good. Seems like a nice guy.

[x037leox]

he was hanging out outside the old style bar when we walked out around 2am.., we sang some marvin gaye together.. he's super nice, super cool...

[BigBossRell123]

there are more poor white people then black people and thats the truth

[CommanderNutters]

not disagreeing one way or another but where do u get your facts?

[lbcity1]

the white sounds like a gay fag..lol...thats what happens with rich white guys

[BigBossRell123]

they both sound like faggets

[deadbabieYUM]

very touching

and i must agree with a previous comment

this totally changes my perspective on

the wide population of homeless that populate our world

[PK1988]

wow he singlehandedly got rid of my stereotype of the homeless. An intelligent guy. Even though he is all dirty and in rags, he exudes nobleness.

[tripvader]

Just to add: I wish to one day have the pleasure of meeting him. His words of wisdom is so inspiring.

[tripvader]

WOW, what an intriguing person! He expresses his ideas so eloquently that its shocking someone as charismatic as him is in the streets. Andre single-handedly gave me greater respect for homeless people.

[hapymark123]

I know Andre. In regards to the comment "don't give money....."below...whatever. He's got issues like us all. I was an addict on skid row for a number of years. Out now. Andre is harmless, sick and yet can offer some enlightenment in regards to the homeless situation.

[mikalover]

he is such a nice guy!

[omfgfun125]

what a charming man

[highroller12208]

he sounds like Jack Toors

[funkeroni]

wow, enlightening.

[1aaronwaugh]

I've met that guy Homeless or not he is cool . Hangs Out at Art Gallerys

[Kengikat]

I am homeless because I lost my job while fighting cancer for the 5th time. I am also a sickle cell patient. MY CHOICE was to pay rent or pay HUGE medical bill. I spent two years with no job while fighting cancer. I need my medical in order to LIVE.

I am a Christian, but I dont think anyone should be FORCED to believe as i do in order to get help. You are either goig to help, because its the right thing to do, or you're not.

[oathniel]

He's rather charming

[simplysexij27]

u know what, this guy means well and all, but just like him and a lot of others. he wants better but dont wanna choose better. crazy or not everyone knows that nothing in this life is free. and whats wrong with religion anyway? 90% of the time, thats what could change ur life for the better.

[GuyJon57]

my... that is so sad, a man with a talented voice, but who has his own "demons" that keep him on the street. so sad...

[villagegaytv]

Thanks, Ted Trent and Andre, for a great insight into one very articulate homeless man's life. Let's hope that Andre and those like him receive the respect that he seeks.

[guacamolecestsibon]

Mental Illness can be so disabling..wow..it scared me that mental illness can create so much of dysfuntionality in people's lives that they end up homeless

[mikescircus]

You are all being so fooled by Andre, big time! I am not in FAVOR of any religous bullying, etc. And no doubt, Andre is a smart guy. Andre EXPLICITY STATES he's happy just floating around not following any rules. There is no constitutional right to camp out indefinitely on the street. Andre, are you the guy that pisses in my alley? Your homelessness DOES impact others.

[JohnShaft666]

@mikescircus Well i tell you what i been homeless myself and these missions are not safe to stay at either,cause you have to worry about people stealing your shit and whatever else,and i agree with him about the missions there all run by sick greedy people,not just in LA but evry other city in the country,and ex cons dont make good staff and create a more hostile enviroment.

[Popprincess6]

I met Andre today in Little Tokyo and I was immediately taken aback by his wit, charisma, and humor. He serenaded my friends and I and well willingly tipped him. He was a wonderful addition to my day! When he finished singing, he told us he was on UTUBE and I am so glad I found him!!

[hkdaijobu]

Coming from someone who sees this man on a weekly basis. DO NOT BE FOOLED. HE IS a DRUG USER. DO NOT GIVE HIM ANYMORE MONEY.

[momskid]

that man is me. that man is you. share what you have with others. don't just pig it all for yourself

[StewedTomato]

If you feel that way, why don't you take some of the street people into your house, feed them and take care of them?

[theSouliLLUSION]

The guy is very correct I think. Many homeless are mentally disturbed and the system to help these people is worthless. My mother is in the same boat. She cannot function in society like most people. If anything the bible thumpers make these people worse. The last thing a person with a mental illness needs is that fairy-tale b.s. Words like god and jesus are dangerous in the mind of a schizophrenic.

[rejco100]

He's right! The missions are all about their sick religion and is a forced labor camp. Very sick greedy people work their!

[MagicStarER]

If we would all do this, help however we are able whenever we see someone suffering, we can make this world a better place. It has to start with each one of us. Don't just walk by and ignore the misery of others, do what you can. Let's be the vehicle of God's love and not the vessel of Satan's cruelty and destruction.

[MagicStarER]

No one is homeless by choice. Anyone is just a heartbeat away from being homeless. Don't believe me? Get very sick for a month or 2, lose your job, be evicted, and see where you end up!! It can happen to anyone at all. Let's all reach out and help wherever and whenever we see suffering of any kind.

[marinello6]

The video was very good and your comment is right on target.....why don't people get it? Thank you MagicStar for saying it better than I could.

[mikescircus]

Some people are homeless BY CHOICE. Yes, some are homeless by bad luck or circumstances. But don't kid yourself. There's a guy I see in downtown LA all the time with a sign that says, "Why Lie I just want money for beer." He's told me he chooses NOT to work and prefers to hang in the street and get drunk. It sounds cruel but some people need a kick in the ass.

[Dennis34648]

There by the grace of God goes I!

[thekrutch434]

That's the most intelligent homeless guy I've ever seen. How can he be homeless??? He should be a philosopher

[aaronjv]

How can we get Andre on "American Idol"? Talk about livin' the blues... I hope he writes his book someday.

[Miggy44]

very very smart person full of wise words....if he had the chance to make a change he would do it and every bum in LA would live as he said in this video..... imagine that? no more crackers being scared to get out of there 745 beemer to go to there business that they own in the HEART of CALIFORNIA "LA" he can make a change..... someone should help him......

[semenserver]

Whats so great about this guy.Another homeless person by choice.Let him eat from my trash can and wash my windshield then burn off on him as soon as the light turns green yelling "I'm having steak and lobster with wine tonight" biotch

[lucho2000laj]

This is great someone has to listen

[dreamhelix]

I ave met Andre . He's a very cool cat and is a great singer.

[cocksucker0]

articulate homeless man if he wasnt would you still love him

[TheDowntownDistrict]

I'm articulate. I don't find that more or less people love me because I'm articulate. Hmmmm....now that i think of it, more people dislike me because I'm articulate. Well...at least of the people I know of...because when you are able to tell people what you really think...they don't always like it.

[alyceclover]

Andre pretty much sums it up. Thank you for sharing this video.

[anthonylineberry]

yesterday my girlfriend and I and her friend were coming back from a bar downtown, and we ran into andre. He is one of the nicest and funniest people i have met in a long time. he had us all laughing so hard. I hope to run into him again sometime. Say hi if you see him.

[bdo13]

I've met andre a couple times, he's a wonderful man... always smiling and laughing... god bless him

[heyross]

I am a downtown lawyer and have been lucky enough to run into Andre once or twice a month for the last year. He always sees the best in people and wants the best for them too. He's taught me to be more openminded. If you see him, say Hi and your outlook for the day will certainly improve.

[benji3001]

good work my friend. Real story of LA's people...Maybe the next step could be SKIDROW...

[LoftLivingLA]

We did go to skid row first. When we got out of the car, we had people telling us to leave. They told us they didn't want to be on camera. They weren't necessarily nice about it either. We decided to drive three blocks away and try it again. Andre asked to be on camera.

[m14slamfire]

@LoftLivingLA L.A.M.P. mental health services across the street from the drop in center, voa, on San Julian and 5th.

[maryjane1725]

Thank you for taking the time to this story with all of us. Many times we forget the person behind the face. Please, please...keep finding these people and share their stories with all of us!

[rootbass]

Good work; on many levels. A definite step in the right direction....