Day 40: February 9, 2009

Question 44:
If you had the means, how would you address the problem of homelessness?

Responses:

• Financially support politicians who care, who can generate media coverage of the issue to get individuals to care and to then ensure that the the public’s contrbutions of time and money will make a difference.
• If I had the means to address homelessness, I would start with the Foster Care System. A lot of children are set up for a life of derogation; they become institutionalized and unfortunately spend there lives gravitating toward similar systems.
• Build. Treat. Educate. Restore. People are homeless for a myriad of reasons. So while it’s important to place a roof over the head of everyone who wants one, I think is it important to address the underlying causes of the problem. Shelters definitely don’t work. I visited a shelter once for a documentary. They are horrible and impersonal places. I met a man lying on a cardboard box on the steps of a building, in the cold, who told me that he would rather sleep outdoors than suffer through the horrors that can occur within the walls of an armory. If I had the means, I’d build a combination of single family homes and assisted type living facilities for those who need to be rehabilitated. To give these persons a sense of self worth and ownership of their living spaces. They would be responsible for maintaining their living spaces to a certain level. They would also be responsible for paying a nominal fee (really low) or providing a nominal service as their contribution to the space. I’d develop communal activities and counseling services so that no-on is left alone and unattended to and I would establish training centers for those interested in pursuing/updating necessary job skills. This a huge question to answer. I’m still mulling it over. The logistics of this would be staggering.
• Educate the homeless in new fields; provide training and resources for them to succeed.

Song:
Penitentiary Philosophy, by Erykah Badu

Lyrics:
Here's my philosophy
Livin in a penitentiary
Brothers all on the corner
Tryin to make believe
Turn around aint got no pot to pee make me
Mad when I see ya sad
Can't stand to see ya hussle doin bad
But you can't win when your will is weak
When you're knocked on the ground

Evil
Don't you test me
Evil
You won't win

Oh why
World
Why world
Do want me to be so mad yeah
So mad yeah
Oh Why World
Why world
Do you want me to be so mad yeah
So mad yeah

I'm tellin' you the truth I hope I'm not being too cruel
Since you ain't playing by the rules
We're bout to kick you off your stool

Evil
Don't you test me
Evil
You won't win

Oh why
Why
Why world
Do you want me to be so mad yeah
So mad yeah
Why in the world World
Why world
Do you want me be so mad yeah
Say why

I am a warrior princess
I have come from the other sun
Gather all of your members
Unite them as one
Move together in harmony
Build a bridge
Now destroy a bridge
Eliminate your weakness
Conquer evil, the demon
And live Forever Together

Why can't we get along and
Take all the funky tones
And make up a funky song
That be bangin on and on
Make me
Mad when I see ya sad
With the same look ya momma had
But ya can't win when your will is weak
But ya get out ya seat

Oh why
Why
Why world Do you want me to be so mad
So mad yeah
Why in the world
World
Why world do you want me to be so mad yeah
So mad yeah