While I was reading the article "the death and life of Chicago" I couldn't help but feel a little frustrated. I kept thinking, "Ok, when are we going to get to the part where he actually helps the society for the long term". I know that's only my personal opinion and may seem a little rude however, what is JR doing for the people of these communities? I see it as sweeping the homeless under the rug, lets get them off the streets so no one has to see them. Even after reflecting on the reading I'm not sure exactly how to feel, on one hand I think that helping the homeless, using our available resources and helping the homeless is great. On the other hand, why doesn't the campaign focus some of their monetary contributions to teaching these homeless vocations? At the end of chapter five in Sampsons boon it discusses the thought that poverty is not solved only redistributed to another location. There's so much money going into creating these livable homes but very little effort going into helping the people create lives for themselves, making them a better more responsible member of society.
When I think of blighted communities I think of some outskirts of Vegas. I once watched a documentary on the homeless of Vegas where they showed the "underground city" of Vegas. Miles and miles of underground tunnels that the homeless wander through and make their permanent residence. I think the big problem with Vegas is that it seems to be solely revolved around the casino industry, most lose their money there or travel there thinking that they can make it better. How many of those casinos are giving back? Larger cities such as Las Vegas should have community programs set up that help the homeless get back on their feet, not necessarily with money but teach them the skills that it requires to make themselves a valuable piece of society. Help them find jobs and regularly check up on them. I understand that there are some homeless out there that prefer to be homeless. However...
Estimated homeless figures in the United States range from 600,000 to 2.5 million
Source: http://www.fas.org, 2009
Source: http://www.fas.org, 2009
1.37 million of the total homeless population in USA are children under the age of 18. 40% are families with children, 41% are single males, 14% are single females
Source: International Journal of Psychosocial Research
Source: International Journal of Psychosocial Research
This research shows that most of the homeless are children. It is not to late to start helping them.
I agree, committing 100+ crimes by breaking into 100+ foreclosed properties is not the answer. Nor is why total strangers are moved into the homes, rather than the families who were evicted from them.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the "underground city" of Las Vegas? Never heard about such thing. I know about the homeless sleeping along I-15 and under overpasses, but never heard about any tunnels.
And yes, the casinos are giving back; they are creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, either directly or by doing business with the local community. In addition, they pay taxes and thus, sponsor education and other programs in Clark County. Imagine, those casinos moving into any of these Chicago neighborhoods; people who want to work, would actually have a job...