Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Major Inquiry Project ...in the works
For my Major Inquiry Project I have decided to attempt to resolve homelessness in Charlotte, NC ....or at least do some research and talk about it. I chose homelessness as my subject because I am asked for money by a complete stranger at least once a day. Since this is such a frequent occurrence, I can assume that the homeless rate in Charlotte is pretty high so I should be able to generate plenty of sources for my project. Every time I come off of I-85 there is someone at the top of the ramp holding a sign claiming to be homeless and wanting some money. Every time I go to a gas station there is someone outside asking me for change. I haven't been able to decipher the connection between the "asking for money" homeless and the "will work for money" homeless. As cynical as it may sound, I believe the ones looking for me to hand them money are generally involved with drugs or some type of addiction. I haven't thought about the others offering work for money, but I think I have a plan-of-action to implement for that. For the next couple of weeks, every time I see a person on the side of the road claiming to be homeless, I am going to stop and offer them five dollars or so to answer a few questions for me. I am not sure what exactly to ask yet, but I think the best place to start will be the homeless shelters to generate ideas for questions to ask the people on the streets. I'll keep you updated.
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This is quite the undertaking. Homelessness in urban areas is always an issue, and during the winter its especially prevalent in the south. Though I dont necessarily like the idea of boxing all homeless people in the addict category, it is a very destructive disease and it's very hard to break the cycle of addiction. Though I recognize that it's ultimately up the individual, I suggest that if you're going to combat the homelessness issue that you simultaneously try to contact rehabilitation facilities and see if there might be any cross over between that an shelters of some sort. Maybe you could incorporate a fundraiser for a cross-over company like that into your MIP? Just an idea
ReplyDeleteThanks Tasheme, that's a great idea. I may try to implement something like that into the project. As far as stereotyping all homeless people into the category of addicts, I was stating that the people who are straight up asking for money probably have an addiction of some sort and may not even be homeless. There have been several occasions where I have personally tried to provide food to someone asking for it and they insist on money instead. For example: Outside of a bar a gentleman claimed he was homeless and didn't have any money. He asked me for $5 for a hotdog. I took him to the nearest hotdog stand and purchased one for him. As soon as I turned my back he told the hotdog guy he didn't want the hotdog he wanted the money instead. Call me crazy, but something unnatural made him cuss me and the hotdog guy out for not giving him the money. Maybe he was just frustrated about his current situation or maybe he needed the money to go towards a hotel for the night. Personally, I think he was a crackhead and he was using homelessness as a front to create some type of sympathy from me. This is what I would like to decipher: The difference between the real and the fake and what we can do interdependently to help the genuinely in need. I apologize for the mix up in my initial post. Thanks again for the input and I think the idea of a fundraiser for a cross-over company, if one doesn't already exist, is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteVery nice idea, Tasheme. That's the kind of responses I'm looking for fellas. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI think you have a very interesting topic and one that really needs to be look at more especially in the Charlotte area. I know there are many different types of homeless people and many different reasons for them to be in the position they are. I think a good way to find out if they are really wanting money for food to survive or to purchase some sort of alcohol or drug is to offer them a choice of either a 5 dollar bill or a 5 dollar gift certificate to McDonalds or some other sort of fast food restaurant. Or maybe offer them a 5 dollar gift certificate to Burger King or a pack of cigarettes. That way you can see who chooses what and really get an idea of what these people are looking for. Just an idea, if you wanted one but other than that i think you will enjoy learning more about the homelessness in Charlotte.
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