Homelessness in Atlanta

On Saturday, November 7, 2009, my friends and I decided to have an alternative "night out on the town." We charted into what once was "forbidden territory" and gained an unbelievable experience.

Atlanta, GA has two sides. There are places like Midtown where the FOX Theatre is. Then, there are places like Underground Atlanta, where there is substantial poverty.

I've heard it all before. "They need to get up and find a job." "They're too lazy." "They're scum bags."

But my question is this. Why would anyone WANT to sleep on the cold ground at night with no security, no food, no shelter? They face rape, death, and worse each day. Who wants that?

Homelessness is becoming an epidemic. There are more and more people on curbs, in boxes, under expressways. Houses are being forclosed on everyday. People are opening envelopes with their eviction notices. Banks are less willing to help people in financial need. Instead of 3 months late, you can barely be 2.

And what do we do about this? Do we take them to dinner or give money to a local charity? No. We're too concerned with issues in overseas countries to even take a compassionate look at the disgrace around us. We don't give to charities because we feel that the CEOs of said chairities are corrupt. We don't give them money directly because they'll only buy cigarettes and drugs. Instead, we put money in a meter so "it will go to a safe place."

Safe place. Safe place? If it went to such a "safe place" why do I still stumble across starving bodies on the way to class. Oh. I forgot. It's because they WANT to be homeless.

Think twice. Make a difference. I don't care about this article's rating. Just make a difference.