This person is starting a business where people can pay $2000 to experience homelessness for three days. He says it's intended to bring awareness to the problem and make money for himself (as he is currently homeless).
C25K...it works Seaside 5K...........40:45(2012) Turkey Trot..........41:30(2012)/37:08(2013)/37:40(2014) St Pat's 5K..........39:27(2013)/38:48(2014)/35:12(2015) Belair Town Run......38:09(2013)/36:27(2014) Back To Football 5K..37:36(2013)/43:44(2015) Balt Run Fest 5K.....34:59(2013)/41:50(2014)/35:54(2015)
My first thought is that anyone who would actually pay for something like this is a giant pretentious douche.
That was kind of my first thought too. I can see it being a valuable experience, kind of a "walk a mile in my shoes" thing, but anyone who would actually pay that kind of money for it probably wouldn't be overly changed by the experience. I can see them thinking they're all cool and "in-touch" after the fact, but not really doing anything about it.
Considering you could do something like this for free, I'm going with T and saying it would take a giant pretentious jackass to pay 2 grand to pretend to be homeless.
Post by dixeedeluxe on Dec 2, 2013 12:52:11 GMT -5
I'm torn on if this is an example of cultural appropriation as the entrepreneur hismelf is homeless? But $15/night at a hostel is not really reflective of "being homeless". So my nod is to, yes, appropriation.
C25K...it works Seaside 5K...........40:45(2012) Turkey Trot..........41:30(2012)/37:08(2013)/37:40(2014) St Pat's 5K..........39:27(2013)/38:48(2014)/35:12(2015) Belair Town Run......38:09(2013)/36:27(2014) Back To Football 5K..37:36(2013)/43:44(2015) Balt Run Fest 5K.....34:59(2013)/41:50(2014)/35:54(2015)
Considering you could do something like this for free, I'm going with T and saying it would take a giant pretentious jackass to pay 2 grand to pretend to be homeless.
I think the idea is not just live on the streets, but experience and learn about the culture of homelessness. That part I think is a good idea, because a lot of people don't really think about all the intricacies of homelessness and the individual experience. This method just seems wrong.
I'm torn on if this is an example of cultural appropriation as the entrepreneur hismelf is homeless? But $15/night at a hostel is not really reflective of "being homeless". So my nod is to, yes, appropriation.
The hostel is connected to a shelter and probably reflective of the standard temporary housing many homeless people end up in either before the last resort of shelter/street or when they're on their way back out of the shelter and street. I'm guessing he couldn't charge money for people living on the street because it's technically illegal to sleep in public places in most areas and taking people to shelters would take up valuable space for the actual homeless.
I admit, if I had the money, I would send my stepdaughter there. Call me a bitch, but she needs to learn some respect and appreciation for what she has, and this may be the way to do it.
I admit, if I had the money, I would send my stepdaughter there. Call me a bitch, but she needs to learn some respect and appreciation for what she has, and this may be the way to do it.
And this is where I'm torn. I can see it as a really valuable experience, particularly for teens, but I feel like to be truly beneficial it would have to have some kind of component where people were encouraged to do something about what they'd experienced.
Post by dixeedeluxe on Dec 2, 2013 13:21:39 GMT -5
Any of your children are welcome to come sleep in the lot in my backyard among the homeless people that live there. Fair warning, lots of puke piles showed up this weekend.
C25K...it works Seaside 5K...........40:45(2012) Turkey Trot..........41:30(2012)/37:08(2013)/37:40(2014) St Pat's 5K..........39:27(2013)/38:48(2014)/35:12(2015) Belair Town Run......38:09(2013)/36:27(2014) Back To Football 5K..37:36(2013)/43:44(2015) Balt Run Fest 5K.....34:59(2013)/41:50(2014)/35:54(2015)
Post by sunshineluv on Dec 2, 2013 13:38:54 GMT -5
I just read the article, and it sounds to me like the guy just received a bunch of free advertising. Which is a big deal to him, considering no one had actually signed up to do this yet.
Considering you could do something like this for free, I'm going with T and saying it would take a giant pretentious jackass to pay 2 grand to pretend to be homeless.
I think the idea is not just live on the streets, but experience and learn about the culture of homelessness. That part I think is a good idea, because a lot of people don't really think about all the intricacies of homelessness and the individual experience. This method just seems wrong.
You can still do that for free without paying a fee. I got to "know" the homeless in the various areas of NYC that I frequented. A homeless man named Joe is who brought my husband and I together. I just think it's bizarre to pay that sum of money for a " homeless experience". It's his job venture - more power to him - but I stick to my original statement.
I think the idea is not just live on the streets, but experience and learn about the culture of homelessness. That part I think is a good idea, because a lot of people don't really think about all the intricacies of homelessness and the individual experience. This method just seems wrong.
You can still do that for free without paying a fee. I got to "know" the homeless in the various areas of NYC that I frequented. A homeless man named Joe is who brought my husband and I together. I just think it's bizarre to pay that sum of money for a " homeless experience". It's his job venture - more power to him - but I stick to my original statement.
I worked in a soup kitchen for the Salvation Army for over a year and got to know quite a few people who are or were homeless. I agree with lolaburns, there are definite ways to get to know and help people without paying someone to fabricate an experience for you. I find there to be so much value in talking with people and not lying about it.
I think the idea is not just live on the streets, but experience and learn about the culture of homelessness. That part I think is a good idea, because a lot of people don't really think about all the intricacies of homelessness and the individual experience. This method just seems wrong.
You can still do that for free without paying a fee. I got to "know" the homeless in the various areas of NYC that I frequented. A homeless man named Joe is who brought my husband and I together. I just think it's bizarre to pay that sum of money for a " homeless experience". It's his job venture - more power to him - but I stick to my original statement.
I'm not arguing in favor of it, just pointing out that sometimes people aren't aware of what it means to be homeless. The link I posted in one of the comments is pretty interesting.
You can still do that for free without paying a fee. I got to "know" the homeless in the various areas of NYC that I frequented. A homeless man named Joe is who brought my husband and I together. I just think it's bizarre to pay that sum of money for a " homeless experience". It's his job venture - more power to him - but I stick to my original statement.
I'm not arguing in favor of it, just pointing out that sometimes people aren't aware of what it means to be homeless. The link I posted in one of the comments is pretty interesting.
I know I'm just saying you can be aware without paying $2,000 for a made up experience to gain empathy.