On Compassion/ Homeless Comparison

It is interesting how two stories, based off the same topic, can be entirely different. The feeling, response, and effect of each of the pieces are so different that it's hard to even compare them. Ascher's story, "On Compassion", describes the every day responses when people confront the problem of homelessness. The story shows how we sometimes form prejudices and attempt to ignore the problem. This reading was very thought provoking. How is it that we do not think of homeless people unless we are confronted by them face to face? Though you would think that the place we would remember most would be in our own homes, not many of us go out of our way to help people without homes. Another theme of this story was compassion vs. habit. How much of our giving is mindless routine and how much is genuine caring? It's easy to feel good about ourselves when we give a dollar to someone on the street, however, it is important to remember them behind closed doors. Though they may be fed that day, they still have no where to go that night. The quote "raw humanity offends our sensibilities" really stood out to me. Most of us are more willing to force people off the streets into hospitals than to face the problem and solve it. We want to forget that such an issue exists and that it could so easily be us one day. One bad decision or twist of fate and we could be on the street, and I think sometimes were so scared that we blind ourselves to reality. Next time we see a homeless man, hopefully we won't automatically look down at our shoes or grip the stroller more tightly. Hopefully we'll do the right thing and acknowledge that person for what they are, a human being.

Quindlen's story, "Homeless", had a completely unique, but equally important message of its own. Quindlen aimed to show that homeless people are just like us in so many ways and that everybody deserves the comfort and security of owning their own space. She wanted us to see that there was no alternative to solve the problem. These were just people like us, they are not the adjective of homeless, they are people without homes. They have the same wants and needs as us and crave the same feelings as anybody else. Quindlen expands on the importance of a home as a place of " certainty, stability, predictability, privacy, for me and my family." She writes about how the little things and imperfections of a home form who you are, even if this generation treats homes as exchangeable objects. The author does a good job of showing that home truly is where the heart is. It is where you make memories and discover who you are. A home is where you go at your lowest point, and for these people they do not have that option. A home is such a central part of your life, and everybody deserves to have that refuge. Unfortunately, the problem may have to get worse to get better. People may have to be confronted with the problem every day before they realize the extent of damage and emotional destruction people without homes are in. Without the attention of people who have the power to help, some homeless may save themselves, but many will fall further into their despair and hopelessness.

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Whether it be a unique little house that you can call your own or a bench that is a constant place that is always there for you, people need their place. This often is more appealing to a homeless person because of that feeling. It' snot about the size or appearance of the home, it's about the sense of safety and hope.