| Public Perceptions of the Homeless |
In the sixties a popular image of a homeless person was Red Skeltons "Freddy the
Freeloader". The character was a sterotypical happy hobo, perfectly pleased with canned
beans and second-hand cigars while living in a shack. Though it was a comedy act it seems
that many people considered it to represent reality, and many still do.
Freeloader". The character was a sterotypical happy hobo, perfectly pleased with canned
beans and second-hand cigars while living in a shack. Though it was a comedy act it seems
that many people considered it to represent reality, and many still do.
Until I found out first-hand what it's like, I had very little idea what being homeless really
meant. Perhaps that's partly because decades ago there was not much in the media about
homelessness, and I had never met anyone who was. It was something that you heard about
happening back in the depression.
meant. Perhaps that's partly because decades ago there was not much in the media about
homelessness, and I had never met anyone who was. It was something that you heard about
happening back in the depression.
Today there is a good deal of attention in the media about homelessness and poverty, but
much of it is misleading. If a TV series includes a homeless person in the script the person is
usually drunk, dirty, and sleeping in an alley. Seeing this stereotype repeatedly, people tend
to accept it as reality. There are a lot of homeless like that, but the reality for the great
majority of homeless people is far different.
much of it is misleading. If a TV series includes a homeless person in the script the person is
usually drunk, dirty, and sleeping in an alley. Seeing this stereotype repeatedly, people tend
to accept it as reality. There are a lot of homeless like that, but the reality for the great
majority of homeless people is far different.
I read an article in a Michigan newspaper which covered a Christmas dinner for the poor and
homeless. It praised what a wonderful thing it was to give them one good meal. They quoted
a woman who said it was the only thing she had to eat for several days. I knew the woman,
and knew that she lived just down the street from a church that served breakfast every day,
and was also in walking distance of other churches that served dinners. The fact was that
she simply didn't feel like going there, and also was recieving enough on disability to buy
what she needed. The article totally ignored the fact that dozens of volunteers worked hard
every day of the year to provide free meals in the area for hundreds of people, and not just
on Christmas.
I went to the newspaper office and asked the writer directly about it and she told me "I know,
but it's a feel-good story for Christmas". She clearly knew that the article was deceptive, but
did it anyway just to have a story to print.
Meanwhile, the non-profit groups and volunteers that worked to help the homeless every day,
and needed donations from the public, were left out of the picture. The resulting impression
to those who read the article was that everything was being taken care of, so there was no
need to donate or volunteer. This type of incompetent and irresponsible jounalism goes on
every day, but people buy it expecting the truth.
homeless. It praised what a wonderful thing it was to give them one good meal. They quoted
a woman who said it was the only thing she had to eat for several days. I knew the woman,
and knew that she lived just down the street from a church that served breakfast every day,
and was also in walking distance of other churches that served dinners. The fact was that
she simply didn't feel like going there, and also was recieving enough on disability to buy
what she needed. The article totally ignored the fact that dozens of volunteers worked hard
every day of the year to provide free meals in the area for hundreds of people, and not just
on Christmas.
I went to the newspaper office and asked the writer directly about it and she told me "I know,
but it's a feel-good story for Christmas". She clearly knew that the article was deceptive, but
did it anyway just to have a story to print.
Meanwhile, the non-profit groups and volunteers that worked to help the homeless every day,
and needed donations from the public, were left out of the picture. The resulting impression
to those who read the article was that everything was being taken care of, so there was no
need to donate or volunteer. This type of incompetent and irresponsible jounalism goes on
every day, but people buy it expecting the truth.
Whenever someone is arrested for a theft, assault, drug possession, or whatever crime, and
happens to be homeless, the media will make sure that the article reads "Homeless Person..."
It doesn't matter that a small percentage of these offenses are commited by the homeless.
The public is led to believe that the homeless are typically criminals.
happens to be homeless, the media will make sure that the article reads "Homeless Person..."
It doesn't matter that a small percentage of these offenses are commited by the homeless.
The public is led to believe that the homeless are typically criminals.
I read a series of articles once from a newspaper in York, Nebraska, about the crash of a
crop-dusting plane. The first article praised passers-by, notably an off duty paramedic, for
saving the pilot from the burning plane. A second article cleared things up by stating that an
unidentified homeless man was actually the one who pulled the pilot from the plane, but was
chased off by others with threats of arrest, after which the paramedic claimed credit for saving
the pilot's life. At least in this case the writer set the record straight, which is not typical of the
media.
crop-dusting plane. The first article praised passers-by, notably an off duty paramedic, for
saving the pilot from the burning plane. A second article cleared things up by stating that an
unidentified homeless man was actually the one who pulled the pilot from the plane, but was
chased off by others with threats of arrest, after which the paramedic claimed credit for saving
the pilot's life. At least in this case the writer set the record straight, which is not typical of the
media.
Have you ever read an article about a homeless person that stated how much the person paid
in taxes before becoming homeless? Did they point out that the person had been in the
military serving overseas, and perhaps became disabled there?
Over the years I paid plenty of income, sales, property, and other taxes. Did that mean
anything when I was homeless? There is little if anything in the media that would suggest that
those currently homeless had ever worked, or accomplished anything in their lives. It's not the
type of "news" that people will buy newspapers to read.
in taxes before becoming homeless? Did they point out that the person had been in the
military serving overseas, and perhaps became disabled there?
Over the years I paid plenty of income, sales, property, and other taxes. Did that mean
anything when I was homeless? There is little if anything in the media that would suggest that
those currently homeless had ever worked, or accomplished anything in their lives. It's not the
type of "news" that people will buy newspapers to read.
The media loves to show homeless people pushing shopping carts full of old junk. Need to
show a homeless person in a movie? Dress someone up in rags and have them push a
shopping cart. It's what the public has been taught to accept. The reality is that at least 90%
of the time you see someone going down the street with a cart they are bringing groceries
home, after which they ditch the cart somewhere. I've seen apartment complexes with dozens
of abandoned shopping carts, and it certainly wasn't done by the homeless. Nonetheless,
people are led to believe that it's the fault of the homeless, and accept it as fact. They saw it
on a TV show, so it must be true!
A charitable group near where I live once decided to give wheeled luggage to homeless
people to prevent them from stealing carts from stores. It was a well-meaning gesture, even if
based on a false concept that they had accepted as reality.
show a homeless person in a movie? Dress someone up in rags and have them push a
shopping cart. It's what the public has been taught to accept. The reality is that at least 90%
of the time you see someone going down the street with a cart they are bringing groceries
home, after which they ditch the cart somewhere. I've seen apartment complexes with dozens
of abandoned shopping carts, and it certainly wasn't done by the homeless. Nonetheless,
people are led to believe that it's the fault of the homeless, and accept it as fact. They saw it
on a TV show, so it must be true!
A charitable group near where I live once decided to give wheeled luggage to homeless
people to prevent them from stealing carts from stores. It was a well-meaning gesture, even if
based on a false concept that they had accepted as reality.
The primary objective for most newspapers, magazines, and TV stations, is to sell advertising
space. It's a matter of business, not public service. If they are to have an audience it's
necessary to cater to what the readers or viewers want to see, not to tell them that their
perceptions are wrong. If the real news is not interesting enough to their audience, it will not
be presented. As a result, much of what is presented ranges from watered-down
pop-journalism to the strange, violent, or shocking news that makes headlines.
The simple truth of what is happening every day regarding the homeless, or those just
surviving on a small government check, isn't entertaining enough. The general publc
perception of the truth is shaped by what the media, and those who control it, want it to be.
space. It's a matter of business, not public service. If they are to have an audience it's
necessary to cater to what the readers or viewers want to see, not to tell them that their
perceptions are wrong. If the real news is not interesting enough to their audience, it will not
be presented. As a result, much of what is presented ranges from watered-down
pop-journalism to the strange, violent, or shocking news that makes headlines.
The simple truth of what is happening every day regarding the homeless, or those just
surviving on a small government check, isn't entertaining enough. The general publc
perception of the truth is shaped by what the media, and those who control it, want it to be.
| Red Skelton as Freddy the Freeloader |
A local newspaper a while back had a feature article about a homeless man in Tampa who
complained about how often he was in jail for drinking and open intoxicants. The picture
showed him with lots of empty bottles lying around, creating an impression that this is what
homeless people are like. It wasn't nearly typical, but to people seeing the article, and not
personally aware of the facts, it simply reinforced the popular stereotype.
complained about how often he was in jail for drinking and open intoxicants. The picture
showed him with lots of empty bottles lying around, creating an impression that this is what
homeless people are like. It wasn't nearly typical, but to people seeing the article, and not
personally aware of the facts, it simply reinforced the popular stereotype.
If you were to go a day-labor agency early in
the morning (like at 5AM) and talked to people
there, you would realize that a lot of the people
taking the dirty jobs that no one else wants are
homeless. Ever see any news articles about
this?
the morning (like at 5AM) and talked to people
there, you would realize that a lot of the people
taking the dirty jobs that no one else wants are
homeless. Ever see any news articles about
this?
 |  |
At one time I was renting a really poor room in a house where there were, literally, rats
running around inside and dry-wood termites flying out of holes in the walls. I called a reporter
at the local newspaper about it. His response to the problem? "You don't want to say anything
about it do you? People need to live there!" They refused to even consider covering a story
like this. So much for newspapers working in the interest of the public!
running around inside and dry-wood termites flying out of holes in the walls. I called a reporter
at the local newspaper about it. His response to the problem? "You don't want to say anything
about it do you? People need to live there!" They refused to even consider covering a story
like this. So much for newspapers working in the interest of the public!
Comments? email me at:
clyde@homelessamerican.com
clyde@homelessamerican.com
| homelessamerican.com |
| homelessamerican.com |
Think that homeless people steal all
the shopping carts? Think again.
the shopping carts? Think again.