The article discusses a tragic incident involving a homeless woman set ablaze while bystanders filmed instead of intervening. It examines the historical context given by U.S. laws that criminalize visibility of poverty, leading to the dehumanization of homeless individuals. The author's analysis reveals that, as homelessness continues to rise—over 770,000 individuals were reported homeless in January 2024—society must confront its complicity in the ongoing crisis. Laws governing homelessness have conditioned the public to disregard those in need, resulting in a culture where inaction becomes the norm.
The treatment of homeless individuals as invisible has roots in laws that dehumanize them, creating a climate of apathy and bystander behavior towards their suffering.
With over 770,000 people experiencing homelessness in January 2024, societal indifference is no longer an option; we are all implicated in this national crisis.
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