Since this class started, I have become hyper-aware of all the homeless encampments I see when I’m driving in the area. Before this class, I’m not sure if I would have seen the tents hidden in the Santa Ana Wash or noticed the shelter-like structures off the 210 heading toward San Bernardino. I think this is a positive part of taking this class because it’s forcing me to actually see the homeless people in our area. The “out of sight, out of mind” attitude isn’t easy to hold when a daily commute involves recognizing certain homeless people/ popular homeless “areas”. Even this past Saturday I took a trip out to Venice and felt like I was seeing homeless people left and right. It triggered an interesting conversation with the friend I was with as we started talking about the different approaches to solving the homelessness problem. Her view on homelessness was very victim-centered and she had a worry about enabling the homeless by offering services. I encouraged her to think of the countless people who are homeless due to external factors, like job loss, and used our close friend as an example to show her how easy it would be to become homeless in L.A. Even though we disagreed on the fundamental contributions to homelessness, we were still able to have a conversation about it and could hear each other out. Even on our way back to Redlands, she pointed out several tents under freeway passes and acknowledged that whoever was living there definitely was in need of some help.

It’s so important to be aware of the problems around us that don’t affect us directly! We can all lend a hand and do something to help.