Deven's Observational Log 2

Project Homeless Connect, also referred to as PHC6, was an event on the University of Denver campus that facilitated workshops and services to aid the people without homes. From 8:00a to 3:00p, medical, employment, housing, food stamps, child support, identifications, dental and even hair cuts were given to people without homes to better their situations. It was a helpful event where hundreds of students, faculty members, and devoted citizens took time out of their busy schedules to escort clients around. A number of people were helped and there was a great turnout.
I remember waiting in the long line on the west side of the Ritchie Center in great anticipation. Thoughts of my client’s gender, race, attitude, socioeconomic status, appearance and so forth, bombarded my mind. As I slowly climbed the stairs, I calculated who my person would be by how many volunteers and clients there were ahead of me. He was a middle aged, African American man who was physically not what I had expected. I expected a ragged looking guy who wore torn, dirty clothes. However, he was the exact opposite of what I thought. He was well dressed, clean, and was nicely shaved as a person without a home, which violated the stereotypes of homeless people that I had had for so many years. I would never have guessed that he was homeless if I had seen him walking on the streets or in a store.
After we made our final step to the top of the stairs and were appointed to each other, we shook hands and became acquainted. With a smile, he introduced himself as Edward, and we moved forward in the line to check in his bags and grab refreshments. “So how are you,” I asked. “I’m doin alright for the most part. How about you,” he replied. I said that I was doing alright and that I was looking forward to getting to know him and his needs. With a smile of appreciation and gratefulness, he said “likewise.” The conversation then progressed to talking about the ride over to the Ritchie Center, where we were from and our current statuses in life.
After he eagerly grabbed fruit and orange juice, we sat at a table by ourselves where we could get to know each other better. I began asking questions about his life. Edward didn’t give me any friction. He willingly answered my questions and was a great conversationalist. He told me about the jobs in which he used to have. Edward said, “I used to work for the circus. I would set up the rides and other events in the morning and would take them down at night. It required a lot of hard work, and became tedious and frustrating at times too. The people were just horrible. People would become angry when they didn’t meet the height requirements. My boss also gave me shit sometimes…but other than that, things were good.”
“Were you without a home at the time,” I said.
“No. I was making a decent living. I was on the road so much that I was able to save a lot. We went to New York, where I almost stayed because I loved it so much. We went to Houston, Texas, out to California, to Florida, and a lot of other states. Although it was a lot of sight seeing and interesting places, I did not enjoy the lifestyle of waking up early, setting up sights, taking it down at night, and relocating to a different state by the next morning. I just couldn’t do it anymore.”
“How long did you work for the circus before you gave up,” I said.
“I was there for about 3 years,” he replied. “Three long, dreadful years. However, I didn’t really start to dread life until after I quit the job and became dependent on aid and shelters.”
“What do you mean by dependent,” I said. “Do you mean that you were just reliant on the system in order to get by?”
He looked at me shamefully and said, “By dependent, I mean that I took advantage of the system and became dependent on the handouts and services in which were given unto me. I could stay in day and night shelters and eat for free, so why not take advantage of it? They were handing it to me so I was taking it. I know it’s sad to say but a lot of people do it. If the government wants to take care of us, then let them, you know?”
But I didn’t know. I had no clue why anyone would want to use the system like that. There are honest people out there who want the services and a shelter to stay in but can not. In my mind, he was taking up space for someone who didn’t want to be in that situation but had no control over it. He was purposefully using the system to get by. He became comfortable with living for free. I did not understand why anyone would even want to live that lifestyle. Shelters are not my ideal place to lay my head at night. The soup kitchens are not my ideal choice of home-cooked meals. I did not understand him, and was a bit infuriated by his choices. It also occurred to me that he probably isn’t the only one with this mentality. To know that taxpayers pay hundreds and thousands of dollars to support people who choose to be there, is aggravating. There is way too much time, energy and effort being put into shelters and supporting people without homes for them to be using and taking advantage of the system. Perhaps Edward was taking advantage of the system of government because of the bureaucracy and run around that he receives. Maybe it was a way to get back at the government.
I soon changed the subject to talk about his family life. He did not have a child or a wife. He did, however, say that he had family who all resided in Denver. I was curious to know how they were, as far as financially and socially. Edward said, “My family is doing well. I am very proud of everyone. I don’t keep in touch with them as much as I should, but it’s alright. They are doing well for themselves.” I wanted to ask why they hadn’t taken him in if they were doing so well. I could not imagine being successful and knowing that I have a homeless relative on the streets. I am very family oriented, and I can not picture my family not being there for me through tough situations, and vice versa. Maybe there were some family issues between them that discouraged them from helping him. I am not sure as to whether or not Edward gave me the entire story. I did not ask, and he did not tell. Whether it was trust issues, family issues, or whatever else, I have no idea why his family is not helping him to better himself.
We cleared the table with his trash, and made our way to the Gates Field House where I would help him with various services that he was in need of. On the way there, he waved and spoke to several people. I was surprised by how social he was. I thought that people without homes were secluded and extroverted, yet he was very outspoken and social. Upon entering the Gates Field House, we made our way to employment, Edward’s main concern.
We quickly added into the increasing line, where we were handed a form to complete and turn it. This form contained Edward’s information that would be placed in a system that would enable him to get employment. Looking at the form, Edward was happy to have completed it the week before. He explained to the lady that his form was already completed. She looked it up in the system using his Social Security number, saw that he had completed the form, but requested that he fill the form out again. “I just filled out and turned in one of these forms last week. Is there a way that you can pull up my information,” said my client.
“Sure,” replied the lady. “I certainly can!” She was able to identify his information and verify that he had indeed completed the form. However, she asked him to fill it out again, just so that they could have the proof in paper form as well.
Through a bit of anger, my client said “What do you mean I have to fill it out again? If I filled it out once, then what sense would it make to fill it out again? You already have all of the information right in front of you.”
“Yeah, that’s true,” stated the lady. “But it wouldn’t hurt to do it again.” He smiled, took the paper, and sat down. Although it was a bureaucratic moment which only added more work for him, he remained calm. He then talked about how he gets that all of the time. “Being homeless is a part of experiencing everyday bureaucratic systems. You learn to get used to them. It’s like second hand nature…bureaucracy is like my first cousin,” he said.
From there, we met with a guy who had obviously been acquainted with Edward in the past. He took Edward’s resume, asked him a few questions, and gave him a job interview for Monday, May 12th. I could see the excitement in his eyes. His main concern was employment. He was positive that the only thing that kept him oppressed in his situation was his lack of income. Edward was sure that with a job, he could make ends meet and maintain a home. After the job lead, we went to housing where he received three possible transitional housing leads, and a form that paid for first month’s rent and deposit. I could definitely make out the exceeding joy that gleamed across his face. He looked as though life was looking up for him, and he could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Satisfied with his services, he said “I sure didn’t think that I would receive this much help. It’s almost as if it isn’t true. Let’s hurry up and leave before they try to take it all back.” We both laughed at his humor. It did seem like a fairy tale, though. Edward had just received an ample of help and services that could permanently change his devastating circumstances. Edward now wanted to make his last stop in the medical area. He had been having aches and pains in his right leg, and desperately wanted to get it checked out.
On our way to the medical area, we began to see a lot of people with Life Waters. Edward was eager to find out where they were coming from. “Oh wait. Let’s find where these waters are coming from,” said Edward. “I’m mighty thirsty and they sho’ is looking good,” he said. We followed the trail of Life Waters, but to our surprise, they were all out. So we departed back to medical, where the line was short and the people were very friendly.
“May I help whose next,” said the nurse.
“That would be me,” said Edward. As he walked in and closed the curtain behind him, I could see the nurse giving him socks, soups, and other healthy hygiene products that he was lacking. She checked out his pulse, his blood pressure, temperature, and other performed other procedures before she came out and told me that he had the health of an 18 year old. “Well I sure in the hell don’t feel like one,” replied Edward. We were referred to physical therapy from there. The nurse believed that he had an early onset of arthritis.
After waiting for about a half an hour for physical therapy, Edward was finally called back. I could hear moans and groans through the curtains. I figured that the therapist was working the kinks out of his leg. The therapist came in and out with different things such as insoles for his shoes, towels and pillows. When Edward was released, he had a look of contentment on his face. He exclaimed how his leg felt much better. “Oh doc bent me like a pretzel, but it worked,” he said. With housing and job leads, as well as medical assistance, Edward was glad of his services. He was happy that he came to PHC6, and ecstatic that we had the opportunity to meet.
I escorted him back to his 1:15pm bus. I asked of any services that he wished he could have had but didn’t. He wanted unemployment services, just in case his job interview did not go to well, but other than that, he was happy. His needs had been fulfilled. I was able to watch him get on the bus with a sense of success. I felt successful for helping him to receive the services that he needed. I also felt successful for him because I knew that he would follow up with his services. I saw the desire to overcome, and was glad that I was a part of the process.
All in all, today was a day where my preconceptions were cleared. I was able to see the bureaucracy with the people without homes, which substituted for my notion of laziness. People without homes have received the run around when trying to better themselves, something in which I had never thought of. Also, I was able to see the dependence on shelters and government assistance. Sometimes people rely on these services. Whether it is to live a free life, or to get back at the system of government, some people without homes take advantage of the shelters and food. I was also able to see the calm and happy spirit of people without homes that are accepting and used to being misled and taken around the world when trying to prosper. This service learning experience was great!

What's your favorite appeal?

My favorite appeal is the appeal to logos. I think that logical points and arguments are what makes a paper strong and tangible. The ability to draw upon logic and make inferences that makes sense to readers is what makes and argument believable and compelling. Usually appeals to logos show evidence, which adds validity to a paper, proving that the write knows what he or she is talking about. When a writer, for example, argues that jail overcrowding is an issue, and gives the statistics and figures for the limited amount of space, they become more believable and credible in a sense that they can back their argument up with real life evidence. In my papers, I love to make parables and logical connotations to show that what I am talking about is substantial. I do this by tying the topic into past, personal experience using a common sense method.
This is turn, evokes appeals to pathos because the reader identifies and trusts a person who can show proof to what they are discussing. This connection can be made through appeals to logos. I think evidence and logic is just as important as appeals to ethos. Credibility is created with evidence and sources, just as one would with personal experience that doesn’t connect with common sense and reality. Not only are appeals to logos my favorite, but I feel that they can sometimes be more significant and evoke the same appeals as does appeals to pathos and ethos.

Defining One's Audience

In my proposal to the public good paper, I identify my audience as city mayors and councilmen who are not aware of the core problem concerning jail overcrowding. In this call to action, I am indirectly confronting these people, and proposing a plan that would help decrease the amount of jail overcrowding that has taken place. The city mayors and councilmen have been approaching the issue wrongly. These people are ignorant as to why inmates go in and out of jail. City mayors and councilmen are angered because of the overwhelming rates. As a result, they look down on the citizens and people who are going back and forth to jail rather than looking down on institutions and faulty programs. I identify them as being rich and snobby, lacking the ability to empathize with jail inmates and distinguish their needs. They live in a rich, well kept, positive environment where these issues are absent to them. They should get out more and broaden their perspectives on these various issues dealing with delinquents. Instead of rebuilding and making jails larger, they should implement rehabilitation and reform programs for the inmates, which will get to the core of the issue.
I think it is important that I identify and know who my audience is. Not only does it define the language in which I should use, but it also gives me an idea of what issues I should present and what concepts I should be trying to convey. By knowing who your possible audience is, you then set the tone of your paper, which is vital and aids in your proposal’s persuasiveness and organization.

The Lack of Multiculturalism and how it Affects Students

In my Social Justice class, we read an article about the lack of multiculturalism and how it affects students. The article basically described how many students of color are treated as a collective rather than an individual with diverse thoughts, ideas, and perceptions. Many times in classes, mostly those with just one or two students of color, the student of color will be asked racial questions with the assumption that are going to represent the “Black, Asian, or Mexican” point of view. I was in this situation before where I was asked “Do all black people love chicken?” Personally, I love chicken but how was I supposed to speak for all the other black people in the world. These questions make minority students feel alienated and isolated due to these inhospitable practices. Many times, the experiences and existence of these minorities are belittled.
These injustices and wrongful assumptions are, in a way, not the fault of the teachers, but more of the institution’s fault. There is a lack of faculty of color which makes up the institution. Studies have shown that faculty members provide a needed outlet, support system for students, especially minority students, one that is often missing in the majority environment. Faculty of color provides someone to talk to, and turn to for advice. When frustrated and feeling alone, the faculty members of color bring diversity and a sense of comfort, which most students miss when on campuses that is not as diverse. Here at DU, I have friends who desire a professor of the same color that they can talk and look up to. However, with the lack of faculty of color, this is near impossible. I feel that more faculty of color will decrease these tensions and will create a “shoulder” for these students of color to lye on.

RE: The Singer Solution to World Poverty

This article was amazingly interesting. In this excerpt, a man risks the life of a child for his car which will appreciate in value and earn him a lot of money in the near future. Instead of stopping a train, that was about to hit a child, with his car, he chose to allow the train to hit and kill the boy. He stood there and watched the life of a human being get taken. What a sight!
Many people may look at this as an example of bad moral standards and ethics. It was mean and careless to allow this child to get killed, especially when he could have made a difference. However, the author poses a great question. Is it just as wrong to watch children everyday in our country as well as overseas die from poverty? Many Americans, including myself, never donate any money to help the needy. We could be saving lives as well. However, we risks the lives of men, women, and children everyday by shopping for desired goods, going to fancy restaurants, and attending all of these extra leisure events that are not necessities. Even the people who donate, do so stingily. People who donate could give more, keeping in mind as much money as they waste every year.
Astonishingly, we are in no place to judge this man as to whether or not he was morally wrong. We sit and watch millions of people die everyday, just as he did with this boy. Although he watched physically, it still does not make a difference. This is actually what we do everyday. Whether firsthand or not, we still allow lives to be taken when there is a difference we could be making. After reading this article, I feel differently as to why I don’t donate. This article appeals to pathos in a way that it reaches out to readers of all audiences in an effort to show how we watch people die, and sacrifice our own personal enjoyment for a life. I feel like the man who sat and watched the child die. We need to implement change and turn things that are not necessities into saviors of people’s lives.

Civic Engagement

Robert E. Litan proposed a plan on making it a requirement to be civically involved and to participate in service protocol. I think this is a great idea, however, one that needs some revision and analysis. Our country and society as a whole would definitely benefit from this. The involved individuals would gain an enormous amount of civic engagement and personal experience. They would become aware of various issues going on around us. Also, this would be great intentions for social need, and any other issue that needs to be taken care of. Civic engagement requirements would ensure benefits. However, will benefits be ensured with those who unwillingly volunteer and look at the requirement as something in which they have to do rather than want to do? I think not!
I am in the Social Justice Community here at the University of Denver where we have to complete a service protocol requirement of 40 hours for the academic year. I became involved due to this requirement, but also because of personal interest. At the Community Reentry Project where we help re-incarcerated people get out of jail and make than transition into society as comfortably as possible, I work in the food bank and also do office work such as filing, data entry and I administer intake assessments. I enjoy the work that I do. I feel like I am making a difference, especially knowing how re-incarcerated people get the run around when dealing with criminal backgrounds. However, others on my floor who are not so interested in volunteering dread being civically involved. They take negative attitudes to the sites and do not value the personal experience and knowledge that is available. I’m sure their negative perspectives equal less quality work and even discourage their fellow workers.
Civic engagement should not be a requirement but rather encouraged. This should not be forced upon people who have no desire to volunteer and give back to the community. Civic engagement can also be inconvenient for people. People work, participate in extra curricular activities, and have many other obligations that would infringe and collide with this requirement. Based on personal circumstances, what is convenient and a great opportunity for one person may not necessarily be for another person. I think that wanted to volunteer is a major factor in volunteering, as well as having enough time. Although Robert has proposed a plan that would be great and beneficial, there are some setbacks and underlying factors that need to be weighed.

Rhetorical Analysis Experience

Writing a rhetorical analysis has opened my awareness to how complex arguments can be. Whenever I constructed an argument, I took a stance, in other words, made a claim, and used evidence to support my position. Usually, I would construct a five paragraph essay, the first paragraph being the introduction which contained my stance on a topic. The next three paragraphs would be the body, usually with three supporting pieces of evidence, whether it was personal experience or facts. My conclusion would be the last paragraph which merely summarized my argument. However, I was not aware of the various components of a well developed and thorough argument.
Writing a rhetorical analysis has showed me how the writer is supposed to identify his/her audience, and present the audience with appeals which aid in their argument. These appeals influence and strengthen the writer’s argument. They establish connections and relationships between them and the reader, which in turn establishes rapport and trust. The way one approaches the argument such as the style, language and claim is also a vital point to pay attention to. Arguments are not just words. It is a cleverly, structured paper with many elements that compliment the argument. I feel confident that I can now write a more adequate argument. Knowing how to define my audience and to use certain appeals seems very helpful for me. I want to be an attorney, so arguing is a huge part of my future. Now that I know how to structure one, I feel confident in myself and any stance that I take.