Homelessness: Ain't No Thing But a Chicken Wing

The Christian Science Monitor recently published an article about Adam Shephard author of "Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25 and the Search for the American Dream" - a novel about Shephard's year spent bootstrapping out of a shelter in Charleston, S.C.

After 10 months, Shephard had a rental apartment, bought a pickup truck, and had saved close to $5,000. When asked if his privilege helped him survive, Shephard replied, "How much of a college education do you need to budget your money to a point that you're not spending frivolously?"

WHAT'S WRONG HERE?
Riddle me this. How does a college-educated able-bodied Caucasian male - who's probably never had a mental illness, drug addiction or traumatic life destroying event- justify taking a shelter bed from someone who actually needs one? Having worked in homelessness services I know there are always people who need those beds whether or not they know how to get them. As well, only 10-20% of the street entrenched people I've encountered choose to be homeless while fleeing abuse. Yes, Adam Shephard... the world outside the WASP bubble can be shitty. After listening to at least 30 firsthand accounts of incest, rape and/or abuse I get angry when trust fund babies reprimand the homeless for "frivolous" spending. Most homeless I know don't care about bank accounts and can't even conceive of going to college. They're concerned about tonight and about scoring enough meth to keep them alert against beatings or robbery.

Eddie Murphy at least got to be temporarily rich while Dan Ackroyd was poor in Trading Places. In this scenario Adam Shephard uses resources reserved for those in need while holding onto his place of privilege. Think about it, if a poor man misrepresented himself to gain access to a privileged life it would be considered fraud. In my mind, this experiment is no different.

ANOTHER THING THAT GRINDS MY GEARS
It appears the Obama campaign is backpedalling on an initial pledge to accept public funds for the general election. Obama made this pledge pending the Republican opponent agree to the same terms. (McCain answered the challenge) These promises were made when the coffers were empty.

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Homelessness: Ain't No Thing But a Chicken Wing

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