Homeless in Los Angeles

I’m a homeless person and I have something to say:

I’ve been reading articles on homelessness and the problems of the people on Skid Row. I see plenty of short-term solutions, but the population keeps increasing. Run us out, don’t look at the real reality of the issue and keep on living your lives and laugh, but be careful, you just might end up here.

Being propositioned for drugs and alcohol. Being taken for all that you have. Unable to work because of lack of experience. Don’t look at my skin color, it’s what I can do that counts. Trying to beat almost impossible odds to get out of Skid Row. Being supported by a welfare system that guarantees that I’ll keep failing. And about tour buses full of foreigners laughing at this country’s No. 1 national problem: It’s got to stop somewhere.

I have experienced all of these things. I’m going to keep on waking up to it until I can make my way out.

I challenge every college in this country to go to the homeless communities in their cities, gather information, form a network and help find solutions to this problem. Don’t make money the issue; that’s not the point.

PATRICIA SMITH

Los Angeles