"For decades, encountering such a scene, I used to stop, then wait to see a leg twitch, a chest rise. I rarely do even that anymore."
"Del Seymour, today known locally as the mayor of the Tenderloin, taught me that a man lying with his eyes closed on a sidewalk may have a home, but perhaps was interrupted by temptation or a medical situation on his way there."
"I've learned a lot about homelessness, mostly from him, but also from my daily Google alert for the word in the news."
Regular encounters with homelessness have led to desensitization among individuals, who often overlook those in need. Observations of three men lying on the sidewalk prompted reflections on societal attitudes towards homelessness. While assumptions about their status as homeless were made, insights from a former homeless man revealed complexities, such as the possibility of having a home or working full-time jobs. This evolving understanding highlights the need for compassion and awareness regarding homelessness in urban environments.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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