In general, a class structured with an andragogy style is something I have not had too much experience with. My typical classroom consists of one professor lecturing to an entire class but this class in particular allows me not only to speak my mind but take in others opinions as well. While reading Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich, I interpreted the authors comments regarding her financial background as insensitive with a superior attitude towards the homeless or near-homeless. It was not until discussing this book in class where I understood the reasoning for the authors repetitive comments about her socially accepted life. The author was not intending to sound as if she placed herself higher in rank than low-income workers, she was intending to make the readers not only think about this economic issue but realize that society needs to do something in order to make an actual change. This perspective about Ehrenreich’s choice of writing style was not an option for me to consider until listening to others opinions and perceptions in the class discussion.

In class, we discussed the discrepancies with America’s class system. I was already aware of the huge inequalities found within social and economical policies but further discussion and readings have made me no longer blind to these subjects as I have always been taught the issues but never shown what to do in order to change these issues. In the article, “Tenants under Siege: Inside New York City’s Housing Crisis” by Michael Greenberg, the Mayor, Bill de Blasio,  implements certain policies and reforms as an attempt to take legal action to provide a bed for anyone that seeks it. In response to these actions to help the homeless, residents of the city protest the statements of being “connected” to these homeless individuals. These citizens who firmly believe the homeless are not real people who deserve just as equal rights as the wealthy/middle class have been so blind to the realities of human nature that they often deceive the “poor” in order to gain personal interests. I have been blind just as these people but the main difference is I actually see the issues with certain policies and actions completed against the homeless community and I want to use this class to gain more knowledge on the topic/ways to promote good practices that will benefit the homeless/near-homeless.