WRITERS BLOCK! learning compassion?

Question

i am writing an essay for my college comp. class about compassion toward homeless people, since it is a large concern in our town. So the topic is why some people do not show compassion toward them. I've got one solid body paragraph about compassion being blocked out by selfishness or fear. The other two body paragraphs im completely blank on! ive got a few basic ideas but i cant get them into full paragraphs... ANY ideas??

i'm pleased to see everyone is writing so much on here, it's really helping getting my thought flowing and i love hearing what everyone has to say. a few notes:
- the essay isnt so much about the homless individuals themselvs, or even why they are. its suposed to be focused on why others dont show compassion toward these people.
- im not completely sure what my level of knowledge is about the homeless people, i havent had much to compare it to. The city i live in was voted third meanest city to homeless. (wow!) i have spent some time conversing with a few around town and have volunteered at the st. francsis house, a homeless shelter where i live and i realize it could have just as easily been any of us. i think i need to spend more time with people who dont feel empathy for the homless rather then the homless themselves for this essay. i would like to know how THEY tick and see what exactally is the reasoning for thinking they are so much better.I regret that my essay is due tomorrw

Answer 1

You could also discuss lack of knowledge about why some people become homeless. Many people believe that homelessness is caused by drug addictions, gambling addictions, etc. However, what about women and their children who are fleeing their lives because their husband/significant other beats them? These women are homeless, and its 99% of the time not because of something they did (like drugs or waste money at the slots)

There are also people with medical conditions, like cancer and aids how are unable to afford housing due to their medication/hospitilization costs being so high.

Or teenagers/young adults who run away from home because of their parents drinking habits or sexually offending them.

I think we just have society that stereotypes people way too much and its their lack of knowledge, understanding and willingness to learn more about the situation that leads to lack of compassion.

Im not saying all homeless people are innocent, but the majority of them are.

Answer 2

I have a choice ,, I can give up on my dreams and go to work to make a weekly wage doing what ever the MAN tells me or I can find a way to make a living doing something else , the question is what . And if I can't find it before I'm hungrey I may have to steal me something to eat or dumpster dive that could be cold this winter , SO give up me dreams or freez ,, and freeze sounds like a nightmare not a dream , so if not a dream what have I got to loose ,, problem is I drink a little sometimes not often just once in a while ,, I'm a nice guy but hard to employ because thursdays are drink day and I can't ( as long as I have money ) stay away,
only one in twenty are only down on their luck , the poor know how to be poor , and are happy with their life , sure they complain , but thats part of being poor ,, thats a part of it that they have no problem with , you are what you are , a begger knows how to beg , part of it is making others feel sorry for them , it's all part of the sting, the sting feeds them , it's what they do for a living survive one day at a time , and on and on and on

Answer 3

what i want to know is how much do you know about the homeless? have you gone and talk to them have you been at the shelter and gave out food and clothes.. have you done any thing but read about it. there are a lot of homeless vet in the world.. the war took something form them and the doctors did not know how to fix that kind of problem.. if i did not have my wife and the love she has given me i would be a homeless person.. lost to the world because of what happen in Vietnam.. i was so full of hurt and pain and bad dreams. i pushed everyone away i wanted to go live in a cave and just be left alone.. there are a lot of homeless that just have given up on life as we know it. you have writers block because you know nothing about what you are writing about.. you have not lived it you have not touched it you have not tried to understand it.. what make someone go and live on the street? what make them eat out of trash cans? some have lost there jobs and got caught up in the loop of the government.. some have problems and escape from them with drugs or drink.. some just can not cope with life and know if they get pick up they will end up back in the hospital and that they can not take. find out what it is you are writing about by going and talking and being with these people. don't just sit at the computer and do nothing.

Answer 4

I consider the excellent solutions you have already gained! the only different element i'd upload is.... inspite of the very shown fact which you won't be waiting to completely block out emotions and thoughts by using meditation, from time to time even a quick respite from having to handle them is effective. moving into that place of calmness and freedom from all miseries despite the fact that if fleeting can grant the soul a relax....it jogs my memory of Scarlet O'Hara in long gone With The Wind while she reported "i will think of approximately it day after today". i'm some distance from an expert on meditation yet while i'm feeling under pressure and function unfavorable subject concerns looming I soak in a warm ineffective sea salt tub with lavender oil and picture myself loose from all concerns, I visualize them dropping into the waters and floating away and not something mattering and each little thing is organic peace and bliss and nevertheless. when I return to the worldwide I continuously sense extra suitable at having my short-term get away!

Answer 5

You could write how some people believe that people are homeless be cause they are drug users, alcoholics, or just too lazy to work. Discuuss these beliefs and the possibilty that many homeless are that way because of these things. That people have no compassion for them because they beleive that they are bringing their plight on themselves.

Answer 6

I believe it would make a BIG difference if people tried to view them by thinking, "If I had made some choices differently than I had, I could be where that person is right now."
EVERYONE could be where they are-no matter who!!! Everybody. Choices that we make determine the life that we live. Something in their lives caused them to make some messed up choices.

Answer 7

The two primary reasons for homelessness are addiction and mental illness. You might want to google those two issues to continue your writing.