My group and I presented a book called Sidewalk by Mitchell Dunnier. I wanted to talk more about the race issue.  Dunnier discusses how people on the streets were constantly in and out of jail but for reasons  that were ridiculous. Drugs and homelessness were used as a continuously  way to put them in jail.  Jim crow laws had ended in 1965, creating more discreet laws. Majority of the people homeless were people of color, but black being the most. Trying to make the minorities go away they began to send them to jail to get them off the streets. At times police would help but they are getting paid to do a job, so there is more instances when they are taking that authoritative role instead. Something major that was paid attention to was what they were selling. Only allowing them to sell books, newspaper, and things of that sort. Robbery also something that done, but mostly as a last opinion. People were making irrational decisions to get that fix, but to help cope with being in the position they were in. When put in jail they are never rehabilitated so most end up back on the street, once again doing what they did. Some learn there lessons others don’t and end up in that cycle.

Hearing the other books, one thing that was really interesting was the men that worked out together and made plans to help themselves against police. It was an interesting approach to take on how to combat with police attacks. Even making yourself look and becoming integrated with the rest of society made you a suspect.