Blogger Response #1

Many people make the mistake of stereotyping people and placing them in a certain group based on their looks, nationality, sex, and race. I personally do not like stereotyping people and when I see homeless people I try to at least say hello or give them a little of what I have because you never know what their situation is and why they are in the streets. 


I did make the mistake of judging John from “Stories from the Street,” based on how he looked in the picture. After watching the video I felt pretty bad because what I said about him before watching the video was completely wrong. He was nothing how I portrayed him. He was not a drug addict or alcoholic.  He was actually a former soldier of the United States. 
-consider how you can use this section for your final article.  What I mean is, as a writer for the LA times you are going to write about this moment in a way that is clear to your readers since they aren't aware that you did an activity in class that got you thinking about homeless stereotypes

This is the type of mistake many people make every day. A lot of homeless people like John (remeber your audience will have no idea who John is so you will have to introduce them)  are not asking just for money but all they really want sometimes is to be acknowledged and treated as a human being.  These are people that might have had it all before and one thing led to another lost it all. 

I think instead of judging them and ignoring them based on their economic status, we should lend them a hand and help them get back on their feet. Many people do not help the less fortunate because they do not know what it is to be in need. 
-here you touch on the negative stereotypes and representation of the homeless- develop this more- where do they come from, how are they still around, etc. 

I personally have never lack the necessities thanks to God and my family. I come from a family that migrated to the U.S for a better life and everything we have did not come easily. My dad knows what it is to struggle and have nothing when he came to the U.S. I look up to him so much because he is the type of person that will give whatever little he has to help others. 
-consider how you can use this in your article to back up your position/focus which seems to be showing negative steroetypes and representations can affect the way we feel and interact with the homeless and that is something we need to be aware of- your ex are then John's story and your own experiences 

When I was young I remember one rainy day in the car with my dad. I saw a man asking for money on the side of the street and he was soaking wet. My dad did not have any money but he had this brand new leather jacket that he loved. He immediately took the jacket off and handed it over to the man. In that moment I realize how easy it is to help someone in need and how one simple act of kindness can change someone’s life. 
- great example to use- again develop and tie into your overall focus/position 

I think if we all help at least a little we can make this world a better place for all; even the less fortunate.