My name is Jonathan Nooriel I go to GSU and I was born and raised in Atlanta my whole life and went to the Atlanta Jewish Academy High School. There I became very involved in different classes or organizations involving the government and law. I took AP Government to familiarize myself with not only our government system but many laws and court cases we have had. This made me more
The homeless need help in order to build themselves up.
informed and equipt when I wanted to get involved in a lobby group called AIPAC. This then led me to go to there large conference which was hosted in Atlanta in the Mercedes Benz Stadium. Additionally, I have family members who are lawyers so I am able to communicate with them as well as comprehend what they say, and the logic and evidence they use on different issues we may talk about. I also personally care about the topic of homlessness because I think it is unfair when people make blanket statements about how all homeless people did this to themselves or how it is always their fault.
The doors open and immediately you are hit with the fragrance of delight. Getting that nice fruit smell mixed in with a hint of chocolate and their signature coffee smell. The warmth you feel when stepping in reminds you of getting close to a nice bonfire on a cold winter day, soft chairs all around that you can just sink into. The friendliest face comes to greet you with their smile reaching from one end of their face to the other, wearing the coveted green apron. There is a woman sitting at a circular table wearing suit pants and a nice white button down. She’s yelling through the phone while rigorously writing on her legal pad. Talking of some court case she is frustrated at new information that was brought to her attention. Her face was red, her jaw locked and her fist clenched up. Yelling at the other end of her phone she says “Just figure it out I do not have time to deal with this right now!”
Looking out the window there is a man on the ground. His feet are stretched out in a resting position while his face sags as he fights to keep his eyes open. He’s wearing a ripped gray beanie with a stained sweatshirt and oversized pants, and only has his socks on, no shoes. He just sits there idle as people walk by without even acknowledging him. People’s heads are down looking at the ground while listening to music with the new novel airpods, walking past him not even looking at him, like this man does not even exist. The police in front of Starbucks watching him like a hawk.
As some time goes by, the man becomes a bit more responsive shyfully putting his hand out as people pass by one by one. However, no one notices they just go along like nothing is happening. The people inside the store sitting at their table doing their own thing. Looking back outside this man is still sitting on the floor next to a dirty bag and a grocery cart, and he just sits there as people pass by him.
Tall Georgia State building sitting in downtown Atlanta
There are different large buildings surrounding him with police in front of them all. These large Georgia State buildings tower over him with all of its many levels. Many of them taking off their jackets upon entering these buildings being greeted by yet another paid government employee who just sits there greeting people.
Now looking through another window in the coffee shop, the sky looking gloomy with the sun hiding its face. You can see the trees shaking as the wind picks up its loose leaves. In the distance there’s a grassy area with some people sitting there. All of them carrying little torn up dirty bags sleeping on them mimicking a pillow. Curled up in a ball trying to avoid the chilly weather. All of them just laying there idle having nothing to do but just watch as people walk by. Everyone just walks past them again without even looking at them except for one girl. She was petite a little shorter than me wearing a long white hoodie. She was walking fast with intention when abruptly stopping in front of one of these people. She puts her hand in her all gray backpack and brings out her little yellow wallet. She pulled out a bill, not sure how much, gave it to the man and went on her way. The man with a grin on his face takes the new bill he just received and puts it in his sweatpants and continues to keep his hands out asking for money.
All around our campus and downtown Atlanta are homeless people. The government makes sure to give a sufficient amount of money to any institution however neglect the homeless situation and seem to do very little to actually aid them. That just leaves regular students and people to help them which is not viable. You have police stationed all around to make sure the homeless do not bother anyone or solicit on private property. This just makes it even harder for them to live with the bare necessities. Rather than helping the homeless our government spends money on little things that do not matter or invest in containing the homeless rather than redirecting them to somewhere that might help them.
