Down and Out, on the Road The Homeless in American History, the book I was assigned for our “Book B” presentations, gives an in-depth historical analysis of homelessness throughout the history of the United States. One thing that struck me about this book is the interplay between voluntary and involuntary homelessness in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many people were forced into homelessness due to changing economic realities. As post-bellum America shifted economically people were far less likely to be economic secure. Resultantly, many people adopted train hopping tramp lifestyle as an escape from oppressive economic structures and still more people were forced into economic situations where tramping made more sense. Moreover, seasonal work became very prevalent in the tramp/hobo community. People would work during the winter in seasonal jobs while returning to tramp lifestyles in the summer and spring. In addition, many hegemonic social structures were abandoned in homeless communities. Much of social hierarchy is economically enforced and thus, the author Kenneth L. Kusmer argues that traditional social constructs matter less in homeless communities. During a time when American society was becoming more institutionally segregated “hobo jungles” were arguably some of the most racially integrated communities in the United States. Further, the author reports some evidence of sexual liberation and the removal or weakening of gender constructs. Kusmer concludes then that for many people being homeless is neither a purely voluntary or involuntary state. Instead, being homeless, at least in part, presents a measure of freedom in the opportunity to escape American social and economic forces.