Blogger Response #1

In class we were asked to describe the picture called "Stories from the Streets", of an older man who was sitting in his wheel chair on the side walk and make up a story of our own about it. The first thing I noticed was that his head was hung low and he was sitting in the wheel chair looking down at his hands. My story went on to describe how he seemed helpless and had been waiting for family to come get him. A few kids going on an evening scroll had offered to hang out with him and feed him and he had been so grateful that he cried. 
-consider how you can still write about this moment but in another way since you are writing as a writer for the LA times in your final article 
-this point is important but find a way to remove the class/activity aspect 

Once actually watching and listening to what this man whose name was John ,who indeed was homeless, but was also a Vietnam veteran talk I began to realize how cruel and cold this world could actually be. Some people can look at homeless people and think so negative. They instantly, begin to think these people choose to be on the streets or they are on drugs and have filthy habits. When in all reality they have story and just like we want our stories or our trials to be heard so do they. 
-here you begin to touch on this notion of homeless stereotypes and negative representations 
- can you develop this more and get into where these stereotypes come from, how they stick around, etc.
-also notice here you introduce John who for you seems to be an example of someone's story that challenges the negative stereotypes- maybe then he needs his own section-remember the audience doesn't know him at all so you will need to introduce and detail 


I have gone through some of these same thoughts and feelings towards homeless people until I became homeless myself in 2014 for over eight months. I became so overwhelmed and thought life had really come to a stop. No, I wasn't like others who would ask for money because I knew deep down how people would think about me. 
-this personal experience and reality is an extremely powerful example to include in your work. consider how far you want to get into this and how it will effect your reader

Now listening and watching John in action over a computer screen I understand that not all homeless people are dirty,drug addicts,thiefs,or mentally damaged. A lot of them where just delt the wrong hand in life and are looking for some help or even just a listening ear to hear their stories. 

I strongly believe if their were more people in the world that weren't so quick to look down on other people who aren't like them, and actually try and to step in their shoes I think  homeless wouldn't be such a problem. All these helpless people would have some guidance.

-it seems like the focus/position of your final article is to discuss how negative stereotypes and representaitons of the homeless affect the way we feel and interact with them but this isn't always the case and this needs to be addressed- your examples are John and your own personal experience